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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY

Suggested Answer:
The decision of the Supreme Court in the
case of Hernandez v. Go, A.C. 1526,
January 1, 2005, is squarely applicable to
this problem. Under the same set of facts,
the Supreme Court held the lawyer to
have violated Canons 16 and 17 of the
Code of Professional Responsibility, which
provide as follows:
Canon 16. A lawyer shall hold in
trust all moneys and properties of
his client that may come into his
possession.
Canon 17. A lawyer owes fidelity to
the cause of his client and he shall
be mindful of the trust and
confidence reposed in him.

Question No. 22 (2010). Canon 1 /


Rule 1.01
A retired member of the Judiciary is
now engaged in private practice. In
attending hearings, he uses his car
bearing his protocol plate which was
issued to him while still in the
service.
Pass on the ethical aspect of the
judges use of the protocol plate.
(2%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Absent any express prohibition to use the
plates by official members of the bench, it
is still imprudent, if not unethical for the
judge to use of his protocol plate after his
retirement since he no longer holds that
position.

When attorney D acquired the properties


of his client, he did not only violate these
canons but also Article 1491 of the Civil
Code, which prohibits him to acquire by
purchase even at a public auction or
judicial auction, property of his clients the
sale of which has been entrusted to him
unless the consent of the client has been
given.

The CPR enjoins respect for law which


extend to the society, the legal profession
and to the court. Rule 1.01 prohibits
lawyers from deceit which in turn involves
misrepresentation which can he implied if
the plates are used after retirement.

Question No. 3. (2007). Canon 18 of


the CPR (10%)
Attorney M. accepted a civil case for
the recovery of title and possession
of land in behalf of N. Subsequently,
after the Regional Trial Court had
issued a decision adverse to N, the
latter filed an administrative case
against attorney M for disbarment.
He alleged that attorney M caused
the adverse ruling against him; that
attorney M did not file an opposition
to the Demurrer to Evidence filed in
the case, neither did he appear at
the formal hearing on the demurrer,
leading the trial court to assume that
plaintiff's
counsel
(attorney
M)
appeared convinced of the validity of
the demurer filed; that attorney M
did not even file a motion for
reconsideration , causing the order
to become final and executory; and
that even prior to the above events
and in view of attorney M's apparent
loss of interest in the case, he
verbally requested attorney M to
withdraw, but attorney M refused.
Complainant N further alleged that
attorney M abused his client's trust
and confidence and violated his oath

Question No. 2 (2007). Canons 16


and 17 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility (10%)
C engages the services of attorney D
concerning
various
mortgage
contracts
entered
into
by
her
husband
from
whom
she
is
separated, fearful that her real
estate properties will be foreclosed
and of impending suits for sums of
money against her. Attorney D
advised C to give him her land titles
covering her lots so he could sell
them to enable her to pay her
creditors. He then persuaded her
execute deeds of sale in his favor
without any monetary or valuable
consideration, to which C agreed on
condition that he would sell the lots
and from the proceeds pay her
creditors. Later on, C came to know
that attorney D did not sell her lots
but instead paid her creditors with
his own funds and had her land
titltes registered in his name. Did
attorney D violate the Code of
Professional Responsibility? Explain.
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of office in failing to defend his
client's cause to the very end.

Christine was appointed counsel de


oficio for Zuma, who was accused of
raping his own daughter. Zuma
pleaded not guilty but thereafter
privately admitted to Christine that
he did commit the crime charged.

Attorney M replied that N did not


give him his full cooperation; that
the voluminous records turned over
to him were in disarray, and that
appeared for N, he had only half of
the information and background of
the case; that he was assured by N's
friends that they had approach the
judge; that they requested him (M)
to
prepare
a
motion
for
reconsideration which he did and
gave to them; however these friends
did not return the copy of the
motion.

a.

In light of Zumas admission,


what should Christine do? Explain.
(3%)

Suggested Answer:
Christine should suggest to Zuma that he
should plead guilty to the crime as
charged.
Canon 19, Rule 19.02 of the CPR states
that a lawyer who has received
information that his client has, in the
course of the representation, perpetrated
a fraud upon a person or tribunal, shall
promptly call upon the client to rectify the
same, and failing which he shall
terminate the relationship with such client
in accordance with the Rules of Court.

Will the administrative case prosper?


Give reasons for your answer.
Suggested Answer:
Yes. Lawyer M appears negligent because
of his failure to file an opposition to the
demurrer, appear at the demurrer
hearing, and not filing a motion for
reconsideration. Under the Code, a lawyer
shall not handle any legal matter without
adequate preparation (18.02). He shall
not neglect a legal matter entrusted to
him and his negligence renders him liable
(18.03). Canon 18 provides that the
lawyer shall serve his client with
competence and diligence. Thus, the
voluminous record is no justification for
the failure of Attorney M to file an
opposition to the demurrer to evidence or
failing to attend the hearing thereof.

b.

Can Christine disclose the


admission of Zuma to the court?
Why or why not? (2%)

Suggested Answer:
No, Christine cannot disclose
admission to the court.

Zuma's

Canon 21, Rule 21.02 of the CPR provides


that a lawyer shall not, to the
disadvantage
of
his
client,
use
information acquired in the course of
employment, nor shall he use the same to
his own advantage or that of a third
person, unless the client with full
knowledge of the circumstances consents
thereto.
Christine cannot disclose the admission
without violating the abovementioned
canon. The information disclosed is in the
nature of a privileged communication,
hence, she cannot disclose it to the court
without Zuma's consent.

Giving the motion for reconsideration to


the friends of N for filing is another
instance of negligence on the part of Atty.
M. He should have filed his motion
himself. (Francisco v. Portugal, A.C. No.
6155, March 14, 2006) Atty. M also
violated Canon No. 13 of the Code of
Professional Responsibility which provides
that a lawyer shall rely upon the merits
of his cause and refrain from any
impropriety which tends to influence or
gives the appearance of influencing the
court. Furthermore, refusing to comply
with Ns request to withdraw from the
case violated the absolute right of the
client to terminate his lawyer at any time
with or without cause. (Section 26, Rule
138 of the Rules of Court)

c.

Can Christine withdraw as


counsel of Zuma should he insist in
going to trial? Explain. (3%)

Suggested Answer:
Christine cannot withdraw as counsel of
Zuma.

Question No. 1. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon
19, 21, & 14

Canon 14, Rule 14.01 of CPR states that


a lawyer shall not decline to represent a
person solely on account of the latter's
race, sex. creed or status of life, or
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because of his own opinion regarding the
guilt of said person.

transaction is in no way connected to its


prior relationship with Acaramba.

Despite the admission of Zuma, Christine


cannot withdraw as Zuma's counsel
because Zuma is still considered innocent
until proven guilty. Further, there may be
mitigating circumstances that Christine
may raise as a defense that is favorable
to Zuma.

Question No. 3. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon
13)
Dumbledore, a noted professor of
commercial law, wrote an article on
the subject of letters of credit which
was published in the IBP Journal.

Question No. 2 (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon 6,
15, 21

a.

In
1998,
Acaramba,
a
telecommunications company, signed
a retainer agreement with Bianca &
Sophia Law Office (B & S) for the
latters legal services for a fee of
P2,000 a month. From 1998 to 2001,
the only service actually performed
by B & S for Acaramba was the
review of a lease agreement and
representation of Acaramba as a
complainant in a bouncing checks
case. Acaramba stopped paying
retainer fees in 2002 and terminated
its retainer agreement with B & S in
2005. In 2007, Temavous, another
telecommunications
company,
requested B & S to act as its counsel
in the following transactions: (a) the
acquisition of Acaramba; and (b) the
acquisition of Super-6, a company
engaged in the power business.

Canon 13, Rule 13.02 provides that a


lawyer shall not make public statements
in the media regarding a pending case
tending to arouse public opinion for or
against a party.

Assume
he
devoted
a
significant portion of the article to
a
commentary
on
how
the
Supreme Court should decide a
pending
case
involving
the
application of the law on letters of
credit. May he be sanctioned by
the Supreme Court? Explain. (4%)
Suggested Answer:
Yes, he may be sanctioned by the court.

As a lawyer, Dumbledore should not have


made such statements regarding a
pending case so as not to influence the
court in deciding the case or giving the
public the impression that the court was
influenced by his commentaries, should
the court arrive at a decision similar to
that of Dumbledore's comments.

In which transactions, if any, can


Bianca & Sophia Law Office represent
Temavous? Explain fully. (7%)

b.

Suggested Answer:
Bianca & Sophia Law Office cannot
represent Temavous in the acquisition of
Acaramba because the Canons of
Professional Ethics (Canon 6) and the
Code
of
Professional
Responsibility
(Canon 15) provide that a lawyer shall not
represent parties with adverse interests
to one another. Even though their
relationship had already been terminated
the Code further provides (Canon 21) that
a
lawyer
should
safeguard
the
confidences of his former client. In the
case of acquisitions, B&S would definitely
have
an
undue
advantage
(Rule
21.02-.03), or to appear to have such, in
assisting Temavous acquisition of its
former client due to its prior relationship.
In contrast, as to the case of Super-6, B&S
may represent Temavous because such a

Assume Dumbledore did not


include any commentary on the
case. Assume further after the
Supreme Court decision on the
case had attained finality, he wrote
another
IBP
Journal article,
dissecting
the
decision
and
explaining why the Supreme Court
erred in all its conclusions. May he
be sanctioned by the Supreme
Court? Explain. (3%)

Suggested Answer:
No, he may not be sanctioned by the
court.
Dumbledore's commentary in the IBP
journal is not unethical. What the CPR
prohibits is the making of public
statements regarding pending cases
before the courts. Dumbledore's article in
the IBP Journal is about a decided case
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already. Once a case has been decided, it
is already open for public consumption
hence anyone can criticize or make
known their opinions regarding the
conclusion of the case.
Question No.4 (2008). Code of
Professional Responsibility, Canon

The refusal is not justified. The transfer of


the land to Laarni would not violate
Article 1491 of the Civil Code because
said article does not cover contingent fee
agreements. This is because in a
contingent fee agreement a transfer
would only occur in case a favorable
judgment is obtained. Further, the case
reached the Supreme Court which means
that Laarni spent so much time on the
case and much of her skills were
demanded hence the 150 million is a fair
and reasonable fee.

20)
Chester asked Laarni to handle his
claim to a sizeable parcel of land in
Quezon City against a well-known
property developer on a contingent
fee basis. Laarni asked for 15% of
the land that may be recovered or
15%
of
whatever
monetary
settlement that may be received
from the property developer as her
only fee contingent upon securing a
favorable
final
judgment
or
compromise
settlement.
Chester
signed
the
contingent
fee
agreement.
a.

Question No.5 (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility, charging
lien)
The vendor filed a case against the
vendee for the annulment of the sale
of a piece of land.

Assume the property developer


settled the case after the case was
decided by the Regional Trial Court
in favor of Chester for P1 Billion.
Chester refused to pay Laarni P150
Million on the ground that it is
excessive. Is the refusal justified?
Explain. (4%)

a.

Suggested Answer:
Yes, the refusal is justified. Canon 20 of
the CPR states that a lawyer shall charge
only fair and reasonable fees. Although
under a contingent fee agreement
lawyers
are
entitled
to
greater
remuneration because of the possibility of
receiving nothing at all, the fee charged
must still be fair, reasonable and
conscionable. In this case, the 150 million
fee is excessive and unconscionable.
b.

Assume the vendee obtained a


summary judgment against the
vendor. Would the counsel for the
defendant vendee be entitled to
enforce a charging lien? Explain.
(4%)

Suggested Answer:
No, vendee's counsel would not be
entitled to enforce a charging lien. A
charging lien to be enforceable there
must be a judgment for money. In the
case at bar, there was no mention of a
judgment for money in favor of the
vendee thus vendee's counsel cannot
enforce a charging lien. However, if there
would be a judgment for money vendee's
counsel would be entitled to enforce the
charging lien.

Assume
there
was
no
settlement and the case eventually
reached the Supreme Court which
promulgated a decision in favor of
Chester. This time Chester refused
to convey to Laarni 15% of the
litigated land as stipulated on the
ground
that
the
agreement
violates Article 1491 of the Civil
Code which prohibits lawyers from
acquiring by purchase properties
and rights which are the object of
litigation in which they take part
by reason of their profession. Is
the refusal justified? Explain. (4%)

b.

Assume, through the excellent


work of the vendees counsel at
the pre-trial conference and his
wise use of modes of discovery,
the vendor was compelled to move
for the dismissal of the complaint.
In its order the court simply
granted the motion. Would your
answer be the same as in question
(a)? Explain. (3%)

Suggested Answer:
Vendee's counsel would still not be
entitled to enforce a charging lien. A
dismissal on motion of the plaintiff would

Suggested Answer:
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certainly not include a judgment for
money. Therefore, the counsel cannot
enforce a charging lien.

disclose such information to outside


agencies without the consent of his client
and
that
he
may
disclose
such
information to firm partners unless
prohibited by his client. In the case of
Atty. Meyer, he was a firm partner and as
such is covered by Rule 21.04 and not
being explicitly prohibited by Niko Henry
committed no wrong in giving information
to him. However in the case of Atty.
Canonigo who was not in any way
connected to the firm Henry committed a
gross violation of Rule 21.03. In either
case the mere entry into the attorneyclient relationship obviates the need for a
confidentiality agreement.

Question No. 6. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon 3.
Atty. Abigail filed administrative
cases before the Supreme Court
against Judge Luis. Thereafter, Atty.
Abigail filed a Motion for Inhibition
praying that Judge Luis inhibit
himself from trying, hearing or in any
manner acting on all cases, civil and
criminal, in which Atty. Abigail is
involved and handling.
Should Judge Luis inhibit himself as
prayed for by Atty. Abigail? Explain
fully. (6%)

Question No. 8. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility,
Canon
18, 16, 9

Suggested Answer:
No. Being the subject of an administrative
case is not one of the grounds for
disqualification of a judge from handling
case provided by the Code of Judicial
Responsibility in Canon 3 Rule 12.

State, with a brief explanation,


whether the lawyer concerned may
be sanctioned for the conduct stated
below.
a.

Question No. 7. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility,
Canon
21.

Filing a complaint that fails to


state a cause of action, thereby
resulting
in
the
defendant
succeeding in his motion to
dismiss. (3%)

Suggested Answer:
Yes. Canon 18, Rule 18.02 states that A
lawyer shall not handle any legal matter
without adequate preparation. A lawyer
should have exercised diligence and
made adequate preparations to ascertain
that the complaint stated a cause of
action to prevent the dismissal of the
complaint.

In need of legal services, Niko


secured an appointment to meet
with Atty. Henry of Henry & Meyer
Law Offices. During the meeting,
Niko
divulged
highly
private
information to Atty. Henry, believing
that the lawyer would keep the
confidentiality of the information.
Subsequently, Niko was shocked
when he learned that Atty. Henry
had
shared
the
confidential
information with his law partner,
Atty. Meyer, and their common
friend, private practitioner Atty.
Canonigo. When confronted, Atty.
Henry replied that Niko never signed
any confidentiality agreement, and
that he shared the information with
the two lawyers to secure affirmance
of his legal opinion on Nikos
problem. Did Atty. Henry violate any
rule of ethics? Explain fully. (7%)

b.

A suspended lawyer working as


an independent legal assistant to
gather information and secure
documents
for
other
lawyers
during
the
period
of
his
suspension. (3%)

Suggested Answer:
Yes. Under the law, only lawyers in good
standing can perform or engage in the
practice of law. In the case of Cayetano
vs. Monsod, the Court held that the
practice of law involves rendering service
to the general public that calls for the
professional judgment of a lawyer, the
essence of which is his educated ability to
relate the general body and philosophy of
law to a specified legal problem. Clearly,
the act of working as a legal assistant in

Suggested Answer:
Canon 21 provides that an attorney shall
preserve the confidence of his client and
further articulates this point in Rule
21.03-.04 by clarifying that he may not
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gathering information
and securing
documents for other lawyers is within the
scope of practicing law. A suspended
lawyer is temporarily prohibited to
practice the legal profession therefor he
cannot engage in the mentioned acts.

the removal of the member in the Roll of


Attorneys.

c.

State, with a brief explanation,


whether the judge concerned may be
sanctioned for the conduct stated
below.

Question No. 9. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon 3.

A suspended lawyer allowing


his non-lawyer staff to actively
operate his law office and conduct
business on behalf of clients
during the period of suspension.
(3%)

a.

Suggested Answer:
Yes. Canon 9, Rule 9.01 states that a
lawyer shall not delegate to any
unqualified person the performance of
any task which by law may only be
performed by a member of the bar in
good standing.
d.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. Under Canon 3, Rule 3.12 a judge
should take no part in a proceeding where
the judge's impartiality might reasonably
be questioned. One of the cases would be
where
the
judge
is
related
by
consanguinity or affinity to counsel within
the fourth degree. A second cousin is a
relative within the 6th degree, hence it is
not covered by the prohibition.

Keeping money he collected as


rental from his clients tenant and
remitting it to the client when
asked to do so. (3%)

Suggested Answer:
Yes. Canon 16, Rule 16.01 provides that
a lawyer shall account for all money or
property collected or received for or from
the client. A lawyer should account for
all money he collected immediately. He
should not wait that the client would ask
or demand for the money.
e.

b.

Deciding a case in accordance


with a Supreme Court ruling but
adding that he does not agree with
the ruling. (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. There is no law or rule prohibiting
such conduct. Regardless of his opinion,
the judge still followed the Supreme
Court's ruling thus there is really nothing
wrong with such act. Further, his opinion
will not have any bearing as it is not part
of the decision.

Refusing to return certain


documents to the client pending
payment of his attorneys fees.
(3%) XXX (Rules of Court)

See Miscellaneous
f.

Refusing to inhibit himself


although one of the lawyers in the
case is his second cousin. (3%)

c.

An
unwed
female
lawyer
carrying on a clandestine affair
with her unwed male hairdresser.
(3%)

Dictating his decision in open


court immediately after trial. (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Yes. A judge should uphold the integrity
and independence of the judiciary. He
must not hastily issue decisions.

Suggested Answer:
No. Both parties are of age and qualified
to marry each other hence the affair is
not one which is grossly immoral. It is not
so corrupt nor so unprincipled to warrant
sanction from the court.
g.
Not paying the annual IBP
dues. (3%)

Question No. 7 (2009). Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon
15.
Lawyer cannot refuse to divulge the
name or identity of his client (True or
False)

Suggested answer:
Yes. Default in payment of IBP dues for 6
months shall warrant suspension of
membership to the IBP and default in
payment for one year shall warrant for

Answer:
FALSE. There are certain exceptions
where in the lawyer may refuse divulge
the identity of his client. He may do so:
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1. Where a strong probability
exists that revealing the identity
would implicate the client in the
very activity for which he
sought the lawyers advice.
2. When disclosure would open the
client to civil liability.
3. Where
the
governments
lawyers have no case against
an attorneys client unless by
revealing the clients name.

interviewed some of the witnesses


for the plaintiff without the consent
of plaintiffs counsel.
a. Did Atty. Manuel violate
ethical standard for lawyers?

any

Answer:
NO. Statutory law provides that a lawyer
may interview a prospective witness for
the opposing side in a civil or criminal
case without the consent of the opposing
counsel or party. This is supported by
Canon 39 of the Canon Professional
Ethics.

Question No. 8 (2009)) Code of


Professional Responsibility, Canon
15, Rule 15.03

b. Will your answer be the same if it


was
the
plaintiff
who
was
interviewed
by
Atty.
Manuel
without the consent of plaintiffs
counsel? Explain.

What are three (3) tests to


determine conflict of interest for
practicing lawyers? Explain each
briefly.
Answer:
In the case of Quiambao vs Bamba the SC
held that developments in jurisprudence
have particularized various tests to
determine whether a lawyers conduct
lies within this proscription. One test is
whether a lawyer is duly-bound to fight
for an issue or claim in behalf of one
client and, at the same time, to oppose
that claim for the client. Thus, if a
lawyers argument for one client has to
be opposed by that same lawyer in
arguing for the other client, there is a
violation of the rule.

Answer:
YES. A witness is distinct and different
from the adverse party. The rule earlier
enunciated does not include permission
to interview the adverse party without the
consent of his counsel. This is supported
by Canon 9 of the Canons of Professional
Ethics.
Question No. 18 (2009) Rule 7.03,
Canon 7, Chapter 2, CPR
Atty. Hype, a bachelor, practices law
in
the
Philippines.
On
long
weekends,
he
dates
beautiful
actresses in Hong Kong. Kristine, a
neighbor in the Philippines, filed with
the Supreme Court administrative
complaint
against
the
lawyer
because of sex videos uploaded
through the internet showing Atty.
Hypes sordid dalliance with the
actresses in Hong Kong.

Another test of inconsistency of interests


is whether the acceptance new relation
would prevent the full discharge of the
lawyers duty of undivided fidelity and
loyalty to the client or invite suspicion of
unfaithfulness or double-dealing in the
performance of the duty.
Still another test is whether the lawyer
would be called upon in the new relation
to use against a former client any
confidential information acquired through
their
connection
or
previous
employment.

In his answer, Atty. Hype (1)


questions the legal personality and
interest of Kristine to institute the
complaint and (2) insists that he is a
bachelor and the sex videos relate to
his private life which is outside
public scrutiny and have nothing to
do with his law practice.

Question No. 15. (2009). Canon 39


and Canon 9 of the Canons of
Professional Ethics.

Rule on the validity of Atty. Hypes


defense. (5%).

Atty. Manuel is counsel for the


defendant in a civil case pending
before the RTC. After receiving the
plaintiffs Pre-Trial Brief containing
the list of witnesses, Atty. Manuel

Suggested Answer:
The first defense does not lie because the
legal personality and interest of Kristine
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to initiate the complaint is not material to
the
disbarment
case.
Disbarment
proceedings are siu generis, and are not
considered as civil actions, is not required
in disbarment cases. Public interest is the
primary objective of disbarment cases
and not merely private interest.
Atty. Hydes defense that his private life
has nothing to do with his practice of law
is not meritorious. The CPR specifically
provides that lawyers should not engage
in conduct that adversely reflects his
fitness to practice law, nor behave in a
scandalous manner to discredit the legal
profession, whether private or public.
Thus, there is a ground for sanctions ions
or even his disbarment.

2) NO. There is strictly no forum


shopping. Forum shopping is the
result when there is an adverse
opinion in one forum, and a party
seeks a favorable decision (other
than by appeal or certiorari) in
another forum. Here Beatriz, instead
of filing an appeal or a certiorari in a
higher court to contest the award for
legal
fees,
chose
to
file
an
administrative complaint based on
the ground of dishonesty which is not
exactly the identical with the issue
raised in the demand for legal fees.
Otherwise put, the issues pertaining to
the demand for legal fees have been
rendered and are due for execution. The
issues
Beatriz
is
raising,
whether
meritorious or otherwise, do not involve
the same causes of action. Rather, it
pertains to an aspect of the facts of the
case which should have been agreed
upon at the onset.

Question No. 19 (2009). Canon 20,


CPR
Atty. Wilmar represented Beatriz in a
partition case among heirs, and won.
When Wilmar demanded payment of
attorneys fees, Beatriz refused to
pay. Wilmar sued Beatriz for the
unpaid attorneys fees and obtained
a favorable judgment. Thereafter,
Beatriz
filed
an
administrative
complaint against Wilmar claiming
that he lied when he stated in his
claim for attorneys fees that the
subject of the partition case involved
the entire estate of the deceased
when, in fact, it covered only 50%
thereof. Wilmar set up the defenses
that (1) Beatriz filed the complaint
only to delay the execution of the
judgment ordering
her to pay
attorneys fees and (2) Beatriz
engaged in forum-shopping. Are the
defenses of Atty. Wilmar tenable?
Explain.

Question No. 21 (2009). Rule 15.02


and 15.07, Canon 15, CPR
When Atty. Romualdo interviewed his
client, Vicente, who is accused of
murder, the latter confessed that he
killed the victim in cold blood.
Vicente also said that when he takes
the witness stand, he will deny
having done so. Is Atty. Romualdo
obliged, under his oath as lawyer, to
inform the judge that (a) his client is
guilty and (b) his client will commit
perjury on the witness stand?
Explain.
Answer:
a) Atty. Romualdo cannot and is not
obliged to reveal to the judge that
Vicente is guilty of murder. Under the
rule on privileged communication,
admission
of
a
crime
already
committed is deemed privileged.
Attorney-client privilege attaches and
he is bound under such rule to keep
secret what his client, Vicente, told
him in confidence.

Answer:
1) YES. The defenses of Atty. Wilmar are
tenable since Atty. Wilmar had
already
obtained
a
favorable
judgment both his clients case as
well as his demand for payment of
attorneys fees due him. Under the
circumstances where services has
already been rendered, and his
demand passed upon by a court, the
subsequent administrative complaint
can be gleaned as a delaying tactic
on the part this time of the client.

b) Under the circumstances that his


client expressly told him that he will
commit perjury when he takes the
witness stand, such communication is
no longer privileged since it pertains
to a crime yet to be committed. What
Atty. Romualdo must do first is
discourage his client to commit
8

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perjury, since a lawyer must impress
upon his client to obey the law. If he
cannot convince him, then the CPR
directs him and gives him a ground to
discontinue his services. (Rule 15.07,
CPR). Prudence and practice show
that it may not be in his best interest
to be the one to reveal to the judge
that Vicente will commit perjury on
the
witness
stand
since
this
revelation lies outside the AttorneyClient privilege.

while he was away


repeated demands.

despite

JJs

Upon his return to the Philippines,


Atty. XX still failed to settle his
rental arrearages and electric bills,
drawing JJ to file an administrative
complaint against Atty. XX.
Atty. XX contended that his nonpayment of rentals and bills to his
cousin is a personal matter which
has no bearing on his profession as a
lawyer and, therefore, he did not
violate the Code of Professional
Responsibility.

Question No. 22 (2009). Rule 13.01,


Canon 13, CPR
On a Saturday, Atty. Paterno filed a
petition for a Writ of Amparo with
the Court of Appeals (CA). Impelled
by the urgency for the issuance of
the writ, Atty. Paterno persuaded his
friend, CA Justice Johnny de la Cruz,
to issue the Writ of Amparo and the
notice
of
hearing
without
the
signature of the two other Justicesmembers of the CA division. Are Atty.
Paterno and Justice de la Cruz guilty
of unethical conduct? Explain. (4%)

a. Is Atty. XX contention in order?


(3%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. The Supreme Court ruled when a
lawyer incurs debts, he has the moral
duty and legal responsibility to settle
them when they become due.
Lawyers must at all times faithfully
perform their duties to the society, to the
bar, to the court and to their clients. As
part of their duties, they must promptly
pay their financial obligations. (Wilson
Cham vs. Atty. Eva Pata-Moya, 556 SCRA
1,2008)

Answer:
YES. Atty. Paterno violated the CPR which
provides that a lawyer shall rely on the
merits of his case and refrain from any
improperly which influence or gives the
appearance of influencing the court. Atty.
Paternos act of using his friendship with
Justice de la Cruz in order to acquire the
Writ of Amparo without a hearing is not in
accordance with this rule. Atty. Paterno
should have let the process continue on
its own without using connections or
influence.

b. Cite two (2) specific Rules in the


Code
of
Professional
Responsibility, violation of which
subjects a lawyer to disciplinary
action by the Supreme Court
although the acts complained of
are purely personal or private
activities that do not involve the
practice of law. (2%)

Another Suggested Answer:


YES. Justice dela Cruz violated the NCJC
which provides that judges shall, in their
personal
relations
with
individual
members of the legal profession, avoid
situations which might reasonably give
rise to the suspicion or appearance of
favoritism or partiality. By issuing the Writ
of Amparo alone, in violation of the law,
he has violated this rule.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Rule 7.03 A lawyer shall not engage in
conduct that adversely reflects on his
fitness to practice law, nor shall he
whether in public or private life, behave
in a scandalous manner to the discredit of
the legal profession.
Rule 7.01 A lawyer shall be answerable
for knowingly making a false statement or
suppressing a material fact in connection
with his application for admission to the
bar.

Question No. 4 (2010). Canon 7.


Atty. XX rented a house of his cousin
JJ on a month-to-month basis. He left
for a 6-month study in Japan without
paying his rentals and electric bills

Question No. 7 (2010). Canon 7


9

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does not cover pleadings filed with
the NLRC, as it is not a court, nor are
any of its Commissioners Justices or
Judges.

Atty. Candido commented in a


newspaper that the decision of the
Court of Appeals was influenced by a
powerful relative of the prevailing
party. The appellate court found him
guilty of indirect contempt.

Is Atty. Y administratively liable


under the Code of Professional
Responsibility? Explain. (3%)

Does this involve moral turpitude?


Explain. (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Yes. Case law has it that it is unavailing to
presume that labor practitioners are
entitled to some latitude of righteous
anger. Likewise, the Court is not deterred
from exercising supervisory authority over
lawyers who misbehave or fail to live up
to that standard expected of them as
members of the Bar.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. Moral turpitude has been defined as
everything which is done contrary to
justice, modesty, or good morals, an act
of baseness, vileness or depravity in the
private and social duties which a man
owes his fellowmen, or to society in
general, contrary to justice, modesty or
good morals.

NLRC exercises quasi-judicial functions


and should be accorded with the same
respect and demeanor due to courts of
law.

Atty. Candido act of attributing corruption


in the court is contemptuous under the
CPR but does not constitute moral
turpitude.

Canon 8 of the CPR states that a lawyer


shall conduct himself with Courtesy,
Fairness
and
Candor
towards
his
professional colleagues. Relative thereto,
Rule 8.01 profers that a lawyer shall not,
in his professional dealings, use language
which is abusive, offensive or otherwise
improper. In a bid to maintain respect due
to courts and to judicial officer, Rule
11,03 again states that a lawyer shall
abstain from scandalous, offensive or
menacing language or behavior before
the courts.

Obiter: Moral turpitude is a moral


delinquency that affects the fitness of a
member of the bar to continue as such
and includes conduct that outrages the
generally accepted moral standards of
community.
Question No. 3 (2010). Canon 8.
Atty.
Y,
in
his
Motion
for
Reconsideration of the Decision
rendered by the National Labor
Relations
Commission
(NLRC),
alleged that there was connivance of
the NLRC Commissioners with Atty. X
for
monetary
considerations
in
arriving at the questioned decision.
He insulted the Commissioners for
their ineptness in appreciating the
facts as borne by the evidence
presented.

In addition, Rule 11.04 specifically states


that a lawyer shall not attribute to judge
motives not supported by the record.
Obiter:
Canon 7 states that lawyers
should at all times uphold the integrity
and dignity of the legal profession and
continues in Rule 7.03 to state that
lawyers should not behave in a
scandalous manner to the discredit of the
legal profession.

Atty. X files an administrative


complaint against Atty. Y for using
abusive language.

Question No. 6 (2010). Canon 9.

Atty. Y posits that as lawyer for the


down-trodden laborers, he is entitled
to express his righteous anger
against
the
Commissioners
for
having cheated them; that his
allegations
in
the
Motion
for
Reconsideration
are
absolutely
privileged; and that proscription
against the use of abusive language

Atty. Monica Santos-Cruz registered


the firm name Santos-Cruz Law
Office with the Department of Trade
and
Industry
as
a
single
proprietorship. In her stationery, she
printed the names of her husband
and a friend who are both nonlawyers as her senior partners in
light of their investments in the firm.
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She allowed her husband to give out
calling cards bearing his name as
senior partner of the firm and to
appear in courts to move for
postponements.

cultivating familiarity with judges. In


playing golf regularly with judges,
familiarity will certainly arise and whether
or not they discuss cases is a non-issue.
Case law has it, constant company with
lawyer tends
to breed intimacy and
camaraderie to the point that favors in
the future may be asked from the judge
which he may find hard to refuse. (Padilla
v. Zantua Jr.)

Did Atty. Santos-Cruz violate the


Code of Professional Responsibility?
Why? (3%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Yes. The CPR clearly provides that a
lawyer shall not, directly or indirectly,
assist in the unauthorized practice of law.
(Canon 9)

Question No, 8 (2010). Canon 16.03.


For services to be rendered by Atty.
Delmonico as counsel for Wag Yu in a
case involving 5,000 square meters
(sq.m.) of land, the two agreed on a
success fee of P50,000 plus 500
sq.m. of the land.

Clearly the husband and friend are nonlawyers who cannot be partners in a law
from
otherwise
it
constitutes
unauthorized practice of law. Similarly,
Rule 9.01 states- A lawyer shall not
delegate to any unqualified person the
performance of any task which by law
may only be performed by a member of
the bar in good standing.

The trial court rendered judgment in


favor of Wag Yu which became final
and executory.
After
receiving
P50,000,
Atty.
Delmonico demanded the transfer to
him of the promised 500 sq.m.
Instead of complying, Wag Yu filed
an administrative complaint charging
Atty. Delmonico with violation of the
Code of Professional Responsibility
and Article 1491 (5) of the Civil Code
for demanding the delivery of a
portion of the land subject of
litigation.

Question No. 15-A (2010). Canon 13.


Rico, an amiable, sociable lawyer,
owns a share in Marina Golf Club,
easily one of the more posh golf
courses. He relishes hosting parties
for
government
officials
and
members of the bench.
One day, he had a chance meeting
with a judge in the Intramuros golf
course. The two readily got along
well and had since been regularly
playing golf together at the Marina
Golf Club.
a.

Is Atty. Delmonico liable under the


Code of Professional Responsibility
and the Civil Code? Explain? (5%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. Rule 16.03 A lawyer shall deliver the
funds and property of his client when due
or upon demand. However, he shall have
a lien over the funds and may apply so
much thereof as may be necessary to
satisfy his lawful fees and disbursements,
giving notice promptly thereafter to his
client.

If Atty. Rico does not


discuss cases with members of the
bench during parties and golf
games, is he violating the Code of
Professional
Responsibility?
Explain. (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
YES. Atty. Rico is liable for violating Canon
13 Code of Professional Responsibility, he
should refrain from any impropriety which
tends
to
influence
or
gives
the
appearance of influencing the court. This
is especially true if Atty. Rico is regularly
practicing in the court of the judges.

He shall also have a lien to the same


extent on all judgments and executions
he has secured for his client as provided
for in the Rules of Court. Here the land is
no longer subject of litigation because the
case was already final and executor.

Also, Rule 13.1 states that A lawyer


shall not extend extraordinary attention
or hospitality to, nor seek opportunity for
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Question No. 3 (2011) Canon Law,
Rule 20

asked Sheryl not to allow any further


postponements because his case has
been pending for 8 years. When trial
resumed, Bernadine moved to reset
the trial because of her infant's
ailment. What must Sheryl do?

Atty. Franciscos retainer agreement


with RXU said that his attorney's
fees in its case against CRP "shall be
15% of the amounts collected." Atty.
Francisco asked the trial court to
issue a temporary restraining order
against CRP but this was denied,
prompting him to file a petition for
certiorari with the Court of Appeals
to question the order of denial. At
this point, RXU terminated Atty.
Franciscos
services.
When
the
parties later settled their dispute
amicably, CRP paid RXU P100 million.
Because of this, Atty. Francisco came
around and claimed a 15% share in
the amount. What should be his
attorneys fees?

Answer:
(A) Remind the Court that it has the
duty to promptly decide the case.
(B) Interpose no objection since
she too once sought postponement
without Bernadine's objection.
(C) Vehemently oppose Bernadine's
motion for being contrary to Eric's
wishes.
(D) Submit the motion to the
Court's sound discretion.

Answer:
(A)
Nothing
because
compromise
came
after
terminated him.

the
RXU

Question No. 7 (2011) Canon Law,


rule 7

(B) 15% of what CRP paid RXU or


P15 million.

Which of the following statements


best
describes
the
distinct
traditional dignity that the legal
profession
enjoys
over
other
professions?

(C) A reasonable amount that


the court shall fix upon proof of
quantum merit.
(D) Nothing since he was unable to
complete the work stated in the
retainer contract.

Answer:
(A) People are quite dependent on
lawyers for their skills in getting
them out of trouble with the law.

Question No. 5. (2011), Canon law

(B) Its
members
strive
to
maintain honesty even in their
private dealings.

Sheryl, Eric's counsel, once asked for


postponement and the court granted
it since the opposing counsel,
Bernadine, did not object. Eric then

(C) Its members earn by charging


specified emoluments or fees.
12

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(D) The profession is anchored on a
fiduciary relation with the client.

(OGCC). Shortly after, a leadership


struggle erupted in NWD between
faction A and faction B. Siding with
the first, Atty. Chito filed several
actions against the members of
faction B. Eventually, the court
upheld Faction B which thus revoked
Atty. Chitos retainer on 14 January
2007. With OGCCs approval, NWD
hired Atty. Arthur in his place. When
Atty. Arthur sought the dismissal of
the actions that Atty. Chito had
instituted, the latter objected on the
ground that his term had not yet
expired and Atty. Arthur had no
vacancy to fill up. Is Atty. Chito
right?

Question No. 14 (2011), CANON law

After Atty. Benny got a P2 million


final judgment in his clients favor,
he promptly asked the court, without
informing his client, to allow him a
charging lien over the money in the
amount of P500,000, his agreed fees,
The Court issued a writ of execution
for the whole judgment in Atty.
Benny's name with an order for him
to turn over the excess to his client.
Is Atty. Bennys action correct?

Answer:
(A) No, because Atty. Chitos
continued appearances in the
cases was without authority
since 14 January 2007.

Answer:
(A) No, since his fees are excessive.

(B) No, because Atty. Arthur would


have violated the rule on forum
shopping.

(B) Yes, since he was merely


asserting his right to collect his
fees.

(C) Yes, because Atty. Chitos


retainer and authority remained
valid until 17 April 2006.

(C) Yes, since he would anyway


give the excess to his client after
getting his fees.

(D) No, because Atty. Chito has the


duty to expose the irregularities
committed by the members of
Faction B.

(D) No,
since
he
did
not
disclose to his client the matter
of getting a charging lien and a
writ of execution in his name.

Question No. 16 (2011), Canon Law,


Canon 10

Question No. 15 (2011), Canon Law

Noel and Emily who were involved in


a road accident sued Ferdie, the
driver of the other car, for damages.
Atty. Jose represented only Noel but
he called Emily to testify for his
client. During direct examination,

On 17 April 2006 NWD, a local water


district entity, hired Atty. Chito as
private counsel for a year with the
consent
of
the
Office
of
the
Government
Corporate
Counsel
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Emily claimed that her injuries were
serious when Atty. Jose knew that
they were not. Still, Atty. Jose did not
contest such claim. Ferdie later sued
Emily for giving false testimony since
her own doctors report contradicted
it. He also sued Atty. Jose for foisting
a false testimony in court. Is Atty.
Jose liable?

his personal check to his client,


less his fees.
(C) Turn over the cash to his client
with a request that the latter pay
him his fees.
(D) Tell his client about the
settlement and the cash and wait
for the client's instructions.

Answer:
(A) No, because he did not
knowingly arrange for Emily to lie
in court.

Question No. 20 (2011) canon law,


canon21

(B) Yes, because he did not advise


his client to settle the case
amicably.

After representing Lenie in an


important lawsuit from 1992 to 1995,
Atty. Jennifer lost touch of her client.
Ten years later in 2005, Evelyn asked
Atty. Jennifer to represent her in an
action against Lenie. Such action
involved
certain
facts,
some
confidential, to which Atty. Jennifer
was privy because she handled
Lenie's old case. Can Atty. Jennifer
act as counsel for Evelyn?

(C) No, because Emily did not


permit him to reveal the falsity to
the court.
(D) Yes, because he knowingly
let Emily's false testimony pass
for truth.

Question No. 17 (2011), Canon Law,


Rule 16

Answer:
(A) No, but she can assist another
lawyer who will handle the case.

In settling his client's claims, Atty.


Cruz received from the adverse party
P200,000 in cash for his client. Which
of the following is an IMPROPER way
for Atty. Cruz to handle the money?

(B) Yes, but she must notify Lenie


before accepting the case.
(C) No, because her duty to
keep
the
confidences
of
previous clients remains.
(D) Yes, but she cannot reveal any
confidential
information
she
previously got.

Answer:
(A) Ask his client to prepare a
check for his fees for swapping
with the cash.
(B) Deposit the cash in his own
bank account and later issue
14

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Question No. 24 (2011), Canon Law,
Canon 19

lawyers of record. Anthony defends


his follow-up action by claiming good
faith and the possibility of entering
his appearance later. Is Anthony
liable for his record follow up?

A difficult client directed his counsel


to bring up to the Supreme Court the
trial courts dismissal of their action.
Counsel believes that the trial court
acted correctly and that an appeal
would be futile. Which of the
following options should counsel
take?

Answer:
(A) Yes, because he did not inform
Lisa of the basis of his interest in
the case.
(B) Yes, because none of the
parties to the case authorized
him to do such follow up.

Answer:
(A) Withdraw from the case to
temper the clients propensity
to litigate.

(C) No, because he acted in good


faith with a view to a possible
retainer.

(B) Engage a collaborating counsel


who can assist in the case.

(D) No, because following up the


records of any case does not
constitute practice of law.

(C) Submit a new retainer proposal


to the client for a higher fee.
(D) Elevate the case to the
Supreme Court as directed by
client.

Question No. 28 (2011), Canon Law,


Rule 12.02 (forum Shopping)

Counsel for Philzea Mining appealed


a decision of the Bureau of Mines,
which was adverse to his client, to
the Environment Secretary. At about
the same time, he filed a special civil
action of certiorari with the Court of
Appeals for the annulment of the
same decision. Did counsel commit
any
ethical
impropriety
in
his
actions?

Question No. 25 (2011) Canon Law,


Rule 11

Although not counsel in a particular


case, Atty. Anthony asked Lisa, the
RTC clerk of court, if the case records
have already been remanded to the
MTC as the Court of Appeals
directed. Lisa said no, saying that
the RTC had not yet received a
certified copy of the Court of
Appeals
decision.
When
Lisa
suggested that Atty. Anthony first
secure such a copy, the latter
scolded her. Shamed by this, Lisa
filed a disciplinary action against him
for encroaching on the work of the

Answer:
(A) Yes, since the action he filed
with the Court of Appeals was
barred by the pendency of a similar
action before the Environment
Secretary.
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(B) Yes, since he was evidently
shopping for a sympathetic
forum, a condemnable practice.

Atty. Eliseo represented Allan in a


collection suit against the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
After his election as sangguniang
bayan member, the court rendered a
decision in PCSOs favor. Still, Atty.
Eliseo appeared for Allan in the
latters appeal, prompting the PCSO
to question his right to do so. In
response, Atty. Eliseo claimed that
the
local
government
code
authorizes him to practice law as
long it does not conflict with his
duties. Is Atty. Eliseo right?

(C) No, since his appeal to the


Environment
Secretary
was
administrative, not judicial.
(D) No, since he has to exhaust all
available remedies to serve his
clients interest.

Question No. 29 (2011), Canon Law,


Rule 1 (ambulance Chasing)

Answer:
(A) No, because he cannot
appear against a government
instrumentality in a civil case.

Atty. Melissa witnessed the car


accident that resulted in injury to
Manny, a friend of hers. While
visiting him at the hospital, she
advised him about what action he
needed
to
take
regarding
the
accident. Is Atty. Melissa subject to
disciplinary action if she eventually
handles the case for him?

(B) Yes, because his official duties


do not conflict with his private
practice.
(C) No, because he works on his
private case at the sacrifice of
public service.
(D) Yes, because he does not
appear in the case as a municipal
official.

Answer:
(A) No, because Melissa did not
directly volunteer her services.
(B) No,
because
Manny
happened to be a friend.

Question No. 34 (2011), Canon Law,


Canon18

(C) Yes, she engaged in typical


ambulance chasing.
(D) Yes, because she should have
offered her services for free.

Which of the following instances


demonstrates counsels LACK of
diligence in serving his client's
interest?

Question No. 33 (2011), Canon Law,


rule 6.02

Answer:
(A) Failing to file his clients
appeal
brief
despite
2
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extensions upon the excuse
that
the
client
did
not
coordinate with him.

(D) Yes, even if the judge may have


actually made unfair rulings in the
course of trial.

(B) Failing to send to client a


requested legal opinion until after
the latter gave him the additional
documents he requested.
Question No. 38 (2011), Canon Law,
Rule 22

(C) Failing to rehearse his client on


his testimony before the trial.
(D) Updating his client about the
status of his case by phone and
electronic mail.

Which of the following is required of


counsel
when
withdrawing
his
services to a client in a case?

Answer:
Question No. 37 (2011), Canon Law,
Rule 8

(A) Counsel's desire to withdraw,


expressed in his motion.
(B) Payment of withdrawal fee.

After hearing in a sensational


criminal
case,
counsel
for the
accused told television viewers how
the judge unfairly ruled to stop his
witness from testifying fully about
certain aspects of the case that
would help the accused. Counsel said
that the public should know the
injustice to which his client was
being subjected. Can counsel be
disciplined for his utterances?

(C) Opposing counsels conformity


to the withdrawal.
(D) Client's
written
filed in court.

consent

Question No. 39 (2011), Canon Law,


Rule 11

Answer:
Which of the following demonstrates
the lawyer's duty to give the court
the respect it deserves?

(A) Yes, because rather than


defend the judicial system as was
his duty, he attacked it.
(B) No, since counsel did not use
obscene language.

Answer:

(C) No, so long as counsel did


not
knowingly
make
false
statements or act in reckless
disregard of truth.

(A) Counsel consistently appearing


in court on time.
(B) Counsel
obeying
orders and processes.
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(C) Woman counsel appearing in
court dressed in business attire.
Answer:
(D) Counsel addressing the court as
"Your Honor" at all times.

(A) It
cannot
attach
to
judgments for delivery of real
estates.
(B) It involves documents placed in
the lawyer's possession by reason
of the retainer.

Question No. 40 (2011), Canon Law,


Canon 20

(C) It does not need any notice to


the client to make it effective.
Atty. Arthur agreed to represent
Patrick in a personal injury case after
the
latter
signed
a
retainer
agreement for a 33% fee contingent
on their winning the case. In the
course of trial, Patrick dismissed
Atty. Arthur after he presented their
evidence in chief and engaged Atty.
Winston another lawyer. They lost
the case. What fee would Atty.
Arthur be entitled to?

(D) It may be exercised before


judgment or execution.

Question No.45 (2011), Canon law,


Rule 2

On November 28 Atty. Patrick wrote


in a newspaper column that the
Supreme Court already decided in
favor of the validity of the Executive
Order
that
created
the
Truth
Commission upon a vote of 13-2. But,
as it turned out, the Court actually
rendered an adverse decision only on
December 7, and upon a vote of 105. Asked to explain his misleading
article,
Patrick
said
that
his
constitutionally protected right to
free expression covered what he
wrote. Can the Court cite Patrick for
contempt?

Answer:
(A) Thirty three percent of the fee
actually paid to Winston.
(B) The reasonable value of his
services.
(C) A flat hourly rate for the time
he invested in the case.
(D) Absolutely nothing.

Answer:

Question No. 42 (2011), Canon Law,


Rule 16

(A) Yes, because his article


obstructs and degrades the
administration of justice.

Which
of
the
following
characteristics pertains to a charging
lien?

(B) No, because the right to free


expression occupies a high rank in
the hierarchy of cherished rights.
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(C) No, because courts must simply
ignore public opinion and the
media when rendering decisions.

Question No. 50 (2011), Canon law,


Rule 17, 18

(D) Yes, because he wrote a lie in


his column.
Which of the following demonstrates
a lawyers fidelity to known practices
and customs of the bar regarding a
case he is handling?
Question No. 46 (2011), Canon Law,
Rule 1
Answer:
Atty. Ramon borrowed his client's
(Menchu) land title. After eight
months,
Menchu
demanded
its
return but he failed to comply and
changed his residence. After Menchu
tracked him down, she confronted
him about the title. He then offered
to just buy the property and gave
her five checks for it but these
bounced. Charged with malpractice,
Atty. Ramon answered that his
license to practice law cannot be in
issue. He merely incurred civil
liability for a failed transaction. Will
the malpractice action prosper?

(A) Treating his clients disclosures


as
confidential
but
not
the
documents he submits for review.
(B) Meeting with his clients
opponent over lunch to discuss
settlement without telling his
client.
(C) Accepting a tough case
although he is new in practice,
trusting that his diligence
would make up for lack of
experience.
(D) Inviting the judge hearing the
case to dinner with no purpose to
discuss the case with him.

Answer:
(A) No, because his failure to pay
his obligation only makes him
civilly liable.

Question No. 1 (2013). Code 19, 22,


10

(B) No, since Menchu did not


transact business with Atty. Ramon
as a lawyer.

Atty. Bravo represents Carlos Negar


(an insurance agent for Dormir
Insurance Co.) in a suit filed by
insurance claimant Andy Limot who
also sued Dormir Insurance. The
insurance
policy
requires
the
insured/claimant to give a written
notice to the insurance company or
its agent within 60 days from the
occurrence of the loss.

(C) Yes, because it is professionally


reprehensible for a lawyer to be
unavailable to a person in need.
(D) Yes,
he
having
taken
advantage of Menchu who was
not fully protected and had no
independent advice.

Limot testified during the trial that


he had mailed the notice of the loss
to the insurance agent, but admitted
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that he lost the registry receipt so
that
he
did
not
have
any
documentary evidence of the fact of
mailing and of the timeliness of the
mailed notice. Dormir Insurance
denied liability, contending that
timely notice had not been given
either to the company or its agent.
Atty. Bravos client, agent Negar,
testified and confirmed that he never
received any notice.

Atty. Serafin Roto is the Corporate


Secretary
of
a
construction
corporation that has secured a multimillion infrastructure project from
the government. In the course of his
duties as corporate secretary, he
learned from the company president
that the corporation had resorted to
bribery to secure the project and had
falsified records to cut implementing
costs after the award of the project.

A few days after Negar testified, he


admitted to Atty. Bravo that he had
lied when he denied receipt of
Limots notice; he did receive the
notice by mail but immediately
shredded it to defeat Limots claim.

The government filed a civil action to


annul the infrastructure contract and
has subpoenaed Atty. Roto to testify
against the company president and
the
corporation
regarding
the
bribery. Atty. Roto moved to quash
the subpoena, asserting that lawyerclient privilege prevents him from
testifying against the president and
the corporation.
Resolve the motion to quash. (8%)

If you were Atty. Bravo, what would


you do in light of your clients
(Carlos Negars) disclosure that he
perjured himself when he testified?
(8%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
If I were Atty. Bravo I shall promptly call
upon Carlos Negar, my client, to rectify
his perjured testimony by recanting the
same before the court.

Motion denied. The motion should be


denied because Atty. Roto did not learn of
the bribery and falsification in connection
with a lawyer-client relation. Being a
corporate secretary does not create a
lawyer-client
relation
because
membership in the Bar is not a
requirement to perform functions of a
corporate secretary. Consequently, Atty.
Roto does no owe any obligation of
confidentiality to the corporation.

Should he refuse or fail to do so I shall


then terminate my relationship with him
(Code of Professional Responsibility,
Canon 19, Rule 19.02) stating that with
his having committed perjury he pursued
an illegal conduct in connection with the
case (Ibid., Canon 22, Rule 22.01).
Since my client Limot refuses to forego
the advantage thus unjustly gained as a
result of his perjury, I should promptly
inform the injured person or his counsel,
so that they may take the appropriate
steps (Canons of Professional Ethics,
Canon 41).

Atty. Roto may be compelled to testify. As


an officer of the court, a lawyer shall
exert every effort and consider it his duty
to assist in the speedy and efficient
administration of justice (Code of
Professional Responsibility, Canon 12).
Furthermore, a lawyer owes candor,
fairness and good faith to the court
(Ibid., Canon 10).

Finally, as part of my duty to do no


falsehood, nor consent to the doing of
any in court (Code of Professional
Responsibility, Canon 10, Rule 10.01, and
the Attorneys Oath). I shall file a
manifestation with the court attaching
thereto the notice of termination as
Limots counsel.

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER
Motion granted. It is true that being a
corporate secretary does not necessarily
constitute
a
lawyer-client
relation.
However, Atty. Roto may be considered in
the practice of law if part of his duties as
a corporate secretary is to give legal
advice to or prepares legal documents for

Question No. 2 (2013). Canon 12.


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the corporation. Thus, a lawyer-client
relationship may have been constituted
between Atty. Roto and the corporation.
Consequently, it is his duty as an attorney
to maintain inviolate the confidence, and
at every peril to himself, to preserve the
secrets of his client (Rules of Court, Rule
138, Sec. 20, par. e, paraphrasing and
arrangement supplied).

delay (Rules of Court, Rule 7, Sec. 3, 2 nd


par.). Atty. Doblar could not claim he has
complied with the foregoing requirement
because he could not take a stand for Eva
that is contrary to that taken for Maria.
His theory for Eva clearly contradicts his
theory for Maria. He has violated his
professional
responsibility
mandated
under the Rules of Court.

Atty. Roto learned from the company


president of the bribery and falsification,
while Atty. Roto was in the course of his
performance of his duties as corporate
secretary. Thus, he could not be
examined in that matter without the
consent of his client (Ibid., Rule 130, Sec.
24(b)).

He has likewise violated the ethical


responsibility that his appearance in court
should be deemed equivalent to an
assertion on his honor that in his opinion
his clients case is one proper for judicial
determination (Canons of Professional
Ethics, Canon 30, 2nd par., last sentence).
In counselling on the contradictory
positions, Atty. Doblar has likewise
counseled or abetted activities aimed at
defiance of the law or at lessening
confidence in the legal system (Code of
Professional Responsibility, Canon 1, Rule
1.02) because conflicting opinions may
result arising from an interpretation of the
same law.

Question No. 4 (2013). Canon 1


Atty. Doblar represents Eva in a
contract suit against Olga. He is also
defending Marla in a substantially
identical contract suit filed by Emma.
In behalf of Eva, Atty. Doblar claims
that the statute of limitations runs
from the time of the breach of the
contract. In the action against Marla,
Atty. Doblar now argues the reverse
position i.e., that the statute of
limitation does not run until one year
after discovery of the breach.

Atty. Doblar could not seek refuge under


the umbrella that what he has done was
in protection of his clients. This is so
because a lawyers duty is not of his
client but to the administration of justice.
To that end, his clients success is wholly
subordinate. His conduct ought to and
must always be scrupulously observant of
the law and ethics (Ernesto Pineda, LEGAL
AND JUDICIAL ETHICS, 211 (1999), citing
Maglasang v. People, G.R. No. 90083,
October 4, 1990).

Both cases are assigned to Judge


Elrey. Although not the sole issue in
the two cases, the statute of
limitations issue is critical in both.
Is
there
an
ethical/professional
responsibility
problem
in
this
situation? If a problem exists, what
are its implications or potential
consequences? (8%)

Any means, not honorable, fair and


honest, which is resorted to by the
lawyer, even in the pursuit of his devotion
to his clients cause , is condemnable and
unethical (Ibid.).

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

Question No. 7 (2013). Canon 4.

Yes. There is an ethical/professional


responsibility problem that results from
the actuation of Atty. Doblar in arguing
the reverse positions.

In
an
action
to
prevent
the
condominium
developer
from
building beyond ten (10) floors,
Judge Cerdo rendered judgment in
favor of the defendant developer.
The judgment became final after the
plaintiffs failed to appeal on time.
Judge Cerdo and Atty. Cocodrilo,
counsel for the developer, thereafter
separately purchased a condominium
unit each from the developer.

The signatures of Atty. Doblar on the


pleadings for Eva and Maria, constitute a
certificate by him that he has read the
pleadings; that to the best of his
knowledge, information and belief there is
good ground to support them; and that
the pleading were not interposed for
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Did Judge Cerdo and Atty. Cocodrilo
commit any act of impropriety or
violate any law for which they should
be held liable or sanctioned? (8%)

His purchase of a condominium unit from


the developer might be interpreted by
some quarters as a consideration for his
having decided the case in favor of the
defendant developer.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Judge Cerdo and Atty. Cocodrilo did not
commit any act of impropriety nor did
they violate any law.

Question No. 8-MCQ (2013). Canon


14

The prohibition imposed by the Civil


Code, Art. 1491(5), prohibiting judges and
attorneys, and that contained in the
Canons of Professional Ethics, Canon 10,
with regard to purchase of any interest in
the subject matter of the litigation both
refer only to instance where the property
is still the subject of the litigation.

Vito is a notorious gangster in the


province who has been accused of raping
and mercilessly killing a 16-year old girl.
Sentiments run very strongly against him
and the local Bar Association met and
decided that no lawyer in the locality
would represent him. Vito could not afford
the services of an out-of-town counsel.

The prohibition does not apply to


instance, such as in the problem, where
the conveyance takes place after the
judgment because the property can no
longer be said to the subject of
litigation (Director of Lands v. Ababa,
G.R. No. L-26096, February 27, 1979).

Choose the most appropriate legal and


ethical characterization of the decision of
the local Bar Association. (1%)

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER
Atty. Crocodilo did not commit any ethical
violation nor did he violate any law when
he purchased a condominium unit from
the developer. The prohibition under the
Canons of Professional Ethics and under
the Civil Code, Art. 1491(5) finds
application only while the property is still
the subject ogf litigation. With the
judgment having attained a state of
finality, the property can no longer be
said to be the subject of litigation
(Director of Lands v. Ababa, G.R. No. L26096, February 27, 1979).

Answer:
(A) It is within its right to make,
since lawyers may freely decide
who to represent and who not to
represent.
(B) It is unethical; it constitutes a
collective denial of Vitos right to
the assistance of counsel.

While technically, Judge Cerdo has not


violated the provisions of the Civil Code,
Art. 1491(3) when he purchased a
condominium unit form the developer
because the judgment has attained a
state of finality, there may be some
concerns on the ethical aspect of what he
had done.

(C) It constitutes an anticipated act


of contempt towards the court that
may order any of the members of
the association to represent the
accused.

Familiar is the maxim, Non omne quod


licet honestum est (Not everything that is
legal is ethical). Judges, like Judge Cerdo
should be free of any whiff of impropriety.
Judges shall avoid impropriety and the
appearance of impropriety in all of their
activities (New Code of Conduct for the
Philippine Judiciary, Canon 4, Sec. 1).

(D) It must be concurred in by each


member of the Bar Association to
have any binding force.
(E) It is unethical because the Bar
Association already prejudged Vito.

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SUGGESTED ANSWER:

lawyer does no have a permanent


address which is required to be stated in
all pleadings he signs as well as required
to be shown in documents he notarizes.

(B) It is unethical; it constitutes a


collective denial of Vitos right to the
assistance of counsel (Code of
Professional Responsibility, Canon
14, Rule 14.01; 1987 Constitution,
Art. III, Sec. 2).

His shingle shows that he has considered


the law profession as a business. He
should have a separate shingle for his
copier services business.
When he included in his shingle the
phrases Specialist in Small Claims and
Fastest
in
Notarization,
he
has
transgressed the rule that a lawyer in
making known his legal services shall use
only dignified information or statement of
facts (Code of Professional Responsibility,
Canon 3). So also the norm that a lawyer
shall not use or permit the use of any
misleading, undignified self-laudatory or
unfair statement or claim regarding his
qualifications or legal services (Ibid.,
Canon 3, Rule 3.01).

Question No. 10 (2013) Canon 3


As a new lawyer, Attorney Novato
started with a practice limited to
small claims cases, legal counseling,
and notarization of documents. He
put up a solo practice law office and
was assisted by his wife who served
as his secretary/helper. He used a
makeshift hut in a vacant lot near
the local courts and a local transport
regulatory
agency.
With
this
strategic location, he enjoyed heavy
patronage assisting walk-in clients in
the
preparation
and
filing
of
pleadings and in the preparation and
notarization
of
contracts
and
documents. He had the foresight of
investing in a good heavy duty
copier machine that reproduces
quality documents, and charges a
reasonable fee for this service. He
draws
electric
power
from
an
extension wire connected to an
adjoining small restaurant. He put up
a shingle that reads: "Atty. Novato,
Specialist in Small Claims, Fastest in
Notarization; the Best and Cheapest
in Copier Services."

The use of the phrases Specialist in


Small
Claims
and
Fastest
in
Notarization is misleading advertisement
because they are likely to create an
unjustified expectation about the results
the lawyer can achieve or implies that the
lawyer an achieve results by improper
means (ABA Model Rule 7.1.b.).
[NOTES AND COMMENTS: The examinees
have sixteen (16) minutes to answer each
essay question. Thus, they have more
than ample time to write exhaustive
answers to the questions. The citations
are merely guides. Examinees should get
full credit even if they do not include the
citations]

Is Attorney Novatos manner of


carrying out his professional practice
i.e., mixing business with the
practice of law, announcing his
activities via a shingle and locating
his office as above-described in
keeping with appropriate ethical and
professional practice? (8%)

Question No. 11 MCQ (2013). Canon


14

Candido engaged the services of


Atty. Lebron in a criminal case. In the
course
of
their
consultations,
Candido admitted to Atty. Lebron
that he committed the crime and in
fact actively planned its commission.
He stressed, however, that under no
circumstance would he admit or
confess to the murder charge he is
facing and, in fact, would enter a
plea of "not guilty" on arraignment.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. Attorney Novatos manner of carrying
out his professional practice is not in
keeping with the appropriate ethical and
professional practice. He has disregarded
the law profession which may result to
loss of respect to lawyers as a whole.
The use of a makeshift hut standing alone
would create the impression that the
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Question No. 12-MCQ (2013). Canon
12
If Candido insists on his planned
plea, Atty. Lebron should __________.
(1%)
A Regional Trial Court issues a
temporary restraining order ( TRO )
halting the demolition order issued
by the City Mayor who has long
loathed the cluster of shanties put
up by informal settlers along the
road leading to the citys commercial
district. The TRO, however, carried
conditions that must be in place
before the threatened demolition can
be fully halted.

Answer:
(A) discontinue his representation;
to continue would be unethical
since he would then be aiding the
accused in foisting a deliberate
falsehood on the court
(B) allow Candido to choose his
course of action; Atty. Lebrons
duty is to protect all his legal and
statutory rights

The city legal officer advised the City


Engineers Office and the local PNP
chief that the TROs conditions are
not in place so that the demolition
could proceed. The city filed a
manifestation reflecting the city
legal officers position, while the
informal settlers counsel sought its
own clarification and reconsideration
from the court, which responded by
decreeing that the conditions have
been fulfilled. Despite this ruling, the
city legal officer insisted that the
conditions have not been fulfilled
and thus gave the PNP clearance to
aid the City Engineers Office in
proceeding with the demolition.

(C) convince Candido to plead


guilty and withdraw from the case
if Candido refuses to heed his
advice
(D) file a manifestation, if Candido
pleads "not guilty," declaring to the
court what he knows of the truth.
(E) play matters by ear and wait for
developments as Candido may still
plead guilty.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(B) Allow Candido to choose his
course of action; Atty. Lebrons duty
is to protect all his legal and
statutory
rights
(Code
of
Professional Responsibility, Canon
14, Rule 14.01).

From the perspective of professional


ethics, how would you characterize
the city legal officers actions? (1%)

Answer:

Or

(A) It is unethical since


counseled
civil
servants
disregard a court order.

(C) Convince Candido to plead guilty


and withdraw from the case if
Candido refuses to heed his advice.

he
to

(B) It is ethical, since he acted in


accordance
with
his
honest
conviction after considering that
the courts conditions have not
been met.
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(C) It constitutes indirect contempt,
but
the
lawyer
cannot
be
disciplined because he acted out of
his firm and honest conviction.

(D)
request
the
Mediation
Supervisor to immediately change
the mediator
(E) simply withdraw from the case
because of the unfair advantage
that you enjoy

(D) It is neither contemptuous nor


unethical since he was performing
his duties as city legal officer.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(E) It is unethical since the City


Legal Officer was simply blindly
following the Mayors wishes.

(A) Correct the mediator and state


the right doctrine. This is part of my
duty as a lawyer.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

Or

(A) It is unethical since he counseled


civil servants to disregard a court
order
(Code
of
Professional
Responsibility, Canon 12).

(C) Reveal your relationship with the


mediator and ask the opposing
counsel if he has any objections
(Code of Professional Responsibility,
Canon 15, Rule 15.04).
Question No. 14 MCQ (2013) Canon
2

Question No. 13-MCQ (2013) Canon


15
Wanda finally became pregnant in
the 10th year of her marriage to
Horacio.
As
her
pregnancy
progressed,
she
started
having
difficulty breathing and was easily
fatigued. The doctors diagnosed that
she has a heart congestion problem
due to a valve defect, and that her
chances of carrying a baby to full
term are slim. Wanda is scared and
contemplates
the
possibility
of
abortion. She thus sought legal
advice from Diana, a lawyer-friend
and fellow church member, who has
been informally advising her on legal
matters.

The mediator assigned to a civil case


happens to be your law school
classmate and he makes a doctrinal
statement about the rights of the
parties.
You
knew
that
the
statement, although favorable to
your clients case, is incorrect.
The ethical move to make under the
circumstances is to __________. (1%)

Answer:
(A) correct the mediator and state
the right doctrine

What
is
Dianas
response? (1%)

(B) just keep quiet because the


other counsel might learn about
your relationship with the mediator
(C) reveal your relationship with
the mediator and ask the opposing
counsel if he has any objections

Answer:

25

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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


(A) Beg off from giving any advice
because it is a situation that is not
purely legal.

represented them in court in a case


involving a car accident and in the
purchase of their family home, for
which
they
formally
paid
the
attorneys fees that Diana billed.

(B) Advise Wanda on the purely


legal side of her problem and
assure her that abortion is allowed
by law if the pregnancy endangers
the life of the mother.

In this instance, Wanda asked about


her legal rights but did not formally
ask for a written opinion from Diana.
Horacio never had any input on the
query as he was then away on an
out-of-town trip for his office.

(C) Advise that it is a religious


problem before it is a medical or
legal one, and Wanda should
consult and follow the advice of her
religious confessor.
(D) Advise Wanda that abortion,
above everything else, is a moral
problem and she should only have
an abortion if it is an act she can
live with.

Diana advised Wanda that she is


fully protected in law and her best
course of action is to have an
abortion while her pregnancy is not
yet far advanced.

(E) Refrain from giving any kind of


advice as abortion is a serious
matter that cannot be resolved
through informal consultations with
friends
and
fellow
church
members.

Did Diana violate the prohibition


against
representing
conflicting
interests when she provided legal
advice to Wanda without Horacios
knowledge? (1%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(B) Advise Wanda on the purely legal
side of her problem and assure her
that abortion is allowed by law if the
pregnancy endangers the life of the
mother
(Code
of
Professional
Responsibility, Canon 2, Rule 2.012.02).

Answer:
(A) Yes. The decision of whether to
have an abortion should be
decided by both spouses; thus,
Diana should not have provided
legal advice in the absence of
Horacio
whose
concerns
and
positions are unknown to her.
(B) No. Diana did not give any
formal advice that would constitute
legal practice calling for the strict
observance of the conflict of
interest rules.

Question No. 15-MCQ (2013) Canon


15

Based on the same facts as Question


XIV, assume that Diana, aside from
being a family friend of the couple,
has been formally and informally
acting as their lawyer in all their
personal and family affairs. She has

(C) No. The decision on whether or


not to have an abortion lies solely
with Wanda; it is her body and
health that is in issue.

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(D) No. Horacio and Wanda are
married, any advice given to
Wanda is deemed to have been
given to Horacio as well.

asks you, as a former law firm


member, if you can help strengthen
the prosecutions case and hints that
you, too, may be impleaded as a codefendant if you do not cooperate.

(E) No. Giving advice to Wanda is


not necessarily acting against
Horacios interest; Diana was
giving advice based on the couples
best interest.

What is your best legal and ethical


course of action? (1%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Answer:

(A) Yes. The decision of whether to


have an abortion should be decided
by both spouses; thus, Diana should
not have provided legal advice in the
absence of Horacio whose concerns
and positions are unknown to her
(Code of Professional Responsibility,
Canon 15).

(A) Offer to testify on what you


know and provide evidence against
the defendants in exchange for a
guarantee
of
immunity
from
prosecution in the case.
(B) Offer to provide evidence
against Santino, but clarify that you
cannot testify against Santino
because
of
the
privileged
communications rule

Or
(C) No. The decision on whether or
not to have an abortion lies solely
with Wanda; it is her body and health
that is in issue (Code of Professional
Responsibility, Canon 5 and Canon
18); (Reproductive Health Law).

(C) Decline to testify against the


defendants
and
to
provide
evidence in the case as the
attorney-client privilege lasts even
beyond the termination of the
relationship.
(D) Decline to testify against the
defendants
as
whatever
information you acquired from
Santino and Cable Co. in the course
of the lawyer-client relationship is
privileged.

Question No. 17-MCQ (2013). Canon


15

Under the same essential facts as


the preceding Question XVI, assume
that you have resigned from ABLE
Law Office and that you were never
impleaded as a co-defendant, but
during your stay with the firm, you
assisted in handling the Cobra Co.
account, which is largely owned by
Cable Co.

(E) Alert the law firm to the


prosecutions offer so that they can
prepare for the evidence within
your
knowledge
that
the
prosecution may use.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(C) Decline to testify against the
defendants and to provide evidence
in the case as the attorney-client
privilege lasts even beyond the
termination of the relationship (Code

The prosecutor handling the case


against Santino and the law firm
27

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of Professional Responsibility, Canon
15, Rule 15.02).

(C)
Leak
the
wiretapped
conversation to the media, to let
the public know what really
happened.
(D)
Submit
the
wiretapped
conversation to the Senate which is
in the best position to determine
what to do with it.

Question No. 19-MCQ (2013). Canon


12

(E) Let Napo privately know,


through 3rd parties, that you are
aware of the existence of the taped
conversation, with the hint that he
can still hope for a lighter penalty if
he would cooperate.

You are a lawyer working at the


Office of the Special Prosecutor and
you are part of the team handling
the case against former Senator
Avido who is charged with plunder.
Based on your assessment of the
evidence that the complainant Linda
submitted, you know that the case
against former Senator Avido is
weak, although you instinctively feel
that he is guilty. You inform your
friend Atty. Curioso (who works with
the office of Senator Elmismo, a
known political rival of Senator
Avido) regarding your instinctive
feeling about Senator Avido. Atty.
Curioso springs a surprise by giving
you a recording of the wiretapped
conversation between Senator Avido
and Napo, a private party coaccused,
about
the
transaction
complained of and how they would
split the proceeds.

What will you do


circumstances? (1%)

under

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(A)
Disregard
the
wiretapped
conversation as it is inadmissible
and will not serve any useful purpose
in the trial of the case (Code of
Professional Responsibility, Canon
12).

Question No. 20-MCQ (2013). Canon


18

Armin, holding a transfer certificate


of title to a lot in downtown Calamba
in the name of Bobby, shows you the
title and claims that Bobby sold him
the lot. He then asks you to draft a
deed
of
sale
covering
the
transaction. In reply to your query on
where Bobby is, Armin explains that
Bobby is currently out of the country
but he (Armin) has his general power
of attorney which he also shows to
you.
The
power
of
attorney
empowers Armin to do everything
that Bobby can do with the Calamba
lot, but you note that it does not
specifically authorize Armin to sell
the property. Armin also assures you
that he wants the deed of sale
drafted so he can send it to Bobby

these

Answer:
(A) Disregard the wiretapped
conversation as it is inadmissible
and will not serve any useful
purpose in the trial of the case.
(B)
Present
the
wiretapped
conversation in court; although
inadmissible, its introduction and
the disclosure of its existence is a
right that the public is entitled to.
28

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


for
his
overseas.

signature

even

while
ABLE Law Office has a retainer
agreement
with
Santino,
a
businessman
with
shady
connections, who has recently been
charged with laundering money for
an illegal drugs syndicate using
Cable
Co.,
Santinos
holding
company. The lawyers of ABLE Law
Office assigned to handle Santinos
account have been impleaded as codefendants for incorporating and
actively handling the affairs of Cable
Co.

How will you act under the given


circumstances? (1%)

Answer:
(A) Agree to draft the deed of sale,
subject
to
your
usual
10%commission.
(B) Refuse to draft the deed of sale,
as Armin has not presented a
special power of attorney that
would support the deed that he is
asking you to prepare.

In its bid to strengthen its case


against
the
defendants,
the
prosecution approached you (as the
least guilty defendant who would
qualify for a discharge as a state
witness) and offers to make you a
state witness.

(C) Refuse to draft the deed of sale,


as Bobby is not present to sign the
deed of sale and verify that he is
indeed selling his lot to Armin.
(D) Agree to draft the deed of sale,
since it is only a draft that Bobby
still has to consider and sign.

Can you accept, within the bounds of


professional
ethics,
the
prosecutions offer? (1%)

(E) Refuse to have anything to do


with Armins request because it is a
potentially problematic situation
given the price of lots in downtown
Calamba.

Answer:
(A) No, as Santinos lawyer you are
duty-bound to protect his interests,
ably represent him in court, and
not turn against him.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(B) Refuse to draft the deed of sale,
as Armin has not presented a special
power
of
attorney
that
would
support the deed that he is asking
you to prepare (Code of Professional
Responsibility, Canon 18).

(B) Yes, as an officer of the court,


you have the duty to disclose to
the court information crucial to the
case.
(C) No, the information you
acquired involving the criminal
case against Santino is covered by
the
privileged
communications
rule.

Question No. 16-MCQ (2013). Canon


15, 10. Privileged Communication
Rule

(D) Yes, a lawyer may testify


against his client provided he first
29

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severs
the
relationship.

lawyer-client

Atty. R clearly violated the rule


against representing the conflicting
interest
(Rule
15.03,
Code
of
Professional Responsibility). B may
file an action to set aside the
judgment on the theory that if the
lawyer is disqualified from appearing
as counsel for a party on account of
conflict of interests, he is presumed
to have improperly and prejudicially
advised and represented the party in
the conduct of the litigation from the
beginning to the end. He may also
file an action for damages against
Atty. R, aside from an administrative
complaint due to his misconduct. He
was prejudiced by the adverse
decision against him, which he no
longer appealed upon the advice of
Atty. R.

(E) Yes, the law of self-preservation


is akin to the law of self-defense
and stands higher than any
obligation you may have with your
client.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(C) No, the information you acquired
involving the criminal case against
Santino is covered by the privileged
communications
rule
(Code
of
Professional Responsibility, Canon
15,
Rule
15.02);
(Privileged
Communication Rule).
Or
(B) Yes, as an officer of the court,
you have the duty to disclose to the
court information crucial to the case
(Code of Professional Responsibility,
Canon 10, Rule 10.01).

Question No. 4 (2014) CPR


A is the accused of robbery in a
complaint filed by B. A sought free legal
assistance
from the Public Attorneys
Office (PAO) and Atty. C was assigned to
handle his case. After reviewing the facts
as stated in the complaint as narrated by
A, Atty. C is convinced that A is guilty.
(4%)

Question No. 2 (2014) CPR


R is retained the counsel of ABC
Bank Ermita Branch. One day, his
Balikbayan compadre B, consulted him
about his unclaimed deposits with the
said branch of ABC Bank, which the Bank
had refused to give to him claiming that
the account had become dormant. R
agreed to file a case against the bank
with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of
Manila, B lost the case, but upon the
advice of R, he no longer appealed the
the decision. B later discovered that R
was retained counsel of ABC Bank- Ermita
Branch. Does B have any remedy?
Discuss the legal and ethical implications
of the problem. (4%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(A) May Atty. C refuse to handle the defense


of A and asked to be relieved ? Explain
Fully.
(B) In the problem (A), if the lawyer is
counsel de parte for the accused and he
learns later after accepting the case and
while trial is ongoing that his client was
indeed the perpetrator of the crime, may
the lawyer withdraw his appearance from
the case? Why or why not ?
SUGGESTED ANSWER :
(A)
RULE 14.01
of the Code of
Professional Responsibility
that a
lawyer shall not decline to represent
a person solely in the account of his
own opinion regarding the guilt of
the said person. It is not the duty of
the lawyer to determine whether the
accused is guilty or not, but the
30

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


judges. Besides in a criminal case,
the accused is presumed innocent,
and he is entitled to an acquittal
unless his guilt is proven beyond
reasonable doubt. The role of the
lawyer is to see to it that his
constitutional right to due process is
observed.

assumed name
shall be used.
Including the name D in the firm
name, even though he is referred to
as a Counsellor, the impression is
given that he can practice law
Canon No. 9 A lawyer shall
not, directly or indirectly, assist the
unauthorized practice of law.

He may withdraw his appearance but


in accordance with the procedure in
Section 26, Rule 138 of the Rules of
Court. Moreover, Rule 19.02 of the
Code of Professional Responsibility
provides that a lawyer who has
received information that his client
has,
that
in
the
course
of
representation, perpetuated a fraud
upon a person or tribunal, shall
promptly call upon the client to
rectify the same, and failing which,
he shall terminate the relationship
which such client in accordance with
the Rules of Court.

Attorney D may be suspended


for such conduct. C, being a nonlawyer, may be held liable for
indirect contempt of court.

Question No. 10 (2014) Canon 4


Atty. M is a partner in a law firm OMP &
Associates. C, a former classmate of Atty.
M engaged the legal services of Atty. M to
handle his appeal to the Court of Appeals
(CA) from the adverse decision of the
Regional Trial Court (RTC) in his
annulment case. After the Notice to file
brief was issued by the CA, Atty. M met an
accident which incapacitated him from
further engaging in law practice. May
Atty. P, his partner in the law firm, file the
required appeal brief for C? Explain your
answer. (5%)

Question No. 7 (2014) Canon No. 9


C and D are the law partners using
the firm name C and D Attorneys-atLaw. In an administrative case filed
against C, the Supreme Court (SC) find
out that C is not entitled to admission to
the practice of law in the Philippines and
ordered his name stricken- off from the
rolls of Attorneys. As a result, C and D
changed their firm name to Law Office of
D, while D is the practitioner. Are C and D
liable for contempt of court? Explain your
answer. (5%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
It depends whether or not C
knew Atty. M to be a partner of the
OMP & Associates kaw firm when he
hired him. Generally, the retainer of
a member of a law firm is equivalent
to the retainer of the firm itself.
Thus, if the said member dealt with
dies or is incapacitated to render
service, the law firm is bound to
provide a substitute. Hence, Atty. P
may file the required brief for C.
On the other hand, if Atty. M
was
retained
alone,
without
knowledge that he belonged to a law
firm, P may not file the required brief
for C without the consent of the
latter. There is no statement in the
problem that C knew M to be a
member of the law firm OMP &
Associates at the time that C
engaged his services.

SUGGESTED ANSWER :
In adopting the firm name of
Law Office of D-Attorney at Law, CCounsellor, C and D violated the
following provisions of the Code of
Professional Responsibility:
Rule 3.02 In the choice of a
firm name, no false, misleading or
31

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


lawyers and members of other
professions
or
non-professional
persons should not be formed or
permitted where any part of the
partnerships employment consists
of the practice of law.

Question No. 15 (2014) Canon No. 9


of
the
Code
of
Professional
Responsibility
M engaged the services of Atty. D to
prosecute his annulment of marriage case
in the Regional Trial Court (RTC). After a
long-drawn trial, Atty. D was able to
secure a favorable judgment from the
court. Unfortunately, M failed to pay in
full the stipulated attorneys fees of Atty.
D. How can Atty. D collect his fees from
M? Discuss fully.

Question No. 21 (2014) Code of


Professional Responsibility
(4%)
(A) May a client hire additional counsel as
collaborating counsel
over and above the objection of the
original counsel?
(B) If the client insists, may the original
counsel withdraw from the
case, and how?

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

HE can collect his fees either


by filing a motion in the annulment
of marriage case that he handled,
and to order M to pay the same, or
he can file a separate action for the
recovery of his attorneys fees. Of
the two, the first is preferable
because the judge in the annulment
case will be in a better position to
evaluate the amount and value of his
services. In the meantime, he may
avail of the retaining lien, which is to
retain the moneys and properties of
M in his possession until he is paid
for his services, or a charging lien,
which is to charge any money
judgment in the case for the
payment of his fees.Will a lawyer
violate
the
Code
of
Professional
Responsibility if he forms a partnership
with professionals of other disciplines like
doctors,
engineers,
architects
or
accountants? Explain your answer.

(A)
Yes, the client is entitled to
have as many lawyers as he can
afford.
Professional
courtesy,
however, demands that a lawyer
retained as a collaborating counsel
should at least communicate with
the original counsel before entering
his appearance. On the part of the
original counsel , he should not look
at the employment of a collaborating
counsel as a loss of confidence in
him.
(B)
If the client insists on retaining
a collaborating counsel over and
above the objection of the original
counsel, the latter may withdraw his
services when his inability to work
with co-counsel will not redound to
the best interest of the client (Rule
22.01,
Code
of
Professional
Responsibility).
Question No. 24 (2014) Code of
Professional Responsibility
(A) May an attorney talk to his witnesses
before and during the

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
He may form a partnership with
other professionals as long as it is
not for the practice of law. Canon No.
9 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility (CPR) provides that a
lawyer shall not directly or indirectly
assist in the unauthorized practice of
law. Paragraph 3 of Canon 33 of the
Code of Professional Ethics which is
suppletory to the CPR, expressly
provides that partnership between

trial? Explain.
(B) In case of postponement of the trial,
whose decision should
prevail the client or his attorney?
Explain the governing rule. (4%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:

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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


(A)
He may talk to his witness
before the trial, but he shall refrain
from talking to his witness during a
break or recess in the trial, while the
witness is still under examination
(Rule 12.05, Code of Professional
Responsibility).
(B)
On
the
matter
of
the
postponement of the trial, the
lawyers decision should prevail.
Rule 19.03 Code of Professional
Responsibility provides that
a
lawyer shall not allow his client to
dictate the procedure in handling the
case, Sec. 23, Rule 138 of the Rules
of Court provides that lawyers have
the full authority to bind their clients
in all matters of ordinary judicial
procedure.

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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


prosecution in the Estafa case.
Did Judge D commit an act of
impropriety? Give reasons for
your answer. (5%)

CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT


Question No. 5 (2007). Canon 2 of
the Code of Judicial Conduct (10%)

Suggested Answer:
If Judge D is a material witness to the
offense being prosecuted, he should
testify and his action cannot be
considered improper. However, if his
testimony can be dispensed with, being
corroborative in nature, Judge D should
refrain from testifying as it may be
viewed as a subtle attempt to influence
the outcome of the case. He should
refrain from influencing in any manner
the outcome of litigation or dispute
pending before another court or agency.
(Canon 1.03, New Code of Judicial
Conduct)

During the hearing of an election


protest filed by his brother, Judge E
sat in the area reserved for the
public, not beside his brother's
lawyer. Judge E's brother won the
election protest. Y, the defeated
candidate
for
mayor,
filed
an
administrative case against Judge E
for employing influence and pressure
on the judge who heard and decided
the election protest.
Judge E explained that the main
reasons why he was there in the
courtroom were because he wanted
to observe how election protest are
conducted
as
he
has
never
conducted one and because he
wanted to give moral support to his
brother.

b. What qualities should an ideal


judge possess under the New
Code of Judicial Conduct for the
Philippine Judiciary? (5%)

Did Judge E commit an act of


impropriety as a member of the
judiciary? Explain?

Suggested Answer:
Qualities of an ideal judge under the New
Code of Judicial Conduct are:
1. Independence (Canon 1);
2. Integrity (Canon 2);
3. Impartiality (Canon 3);
4. Propriety (Canon 4); and
5. Competence and Diligence (Canon
5)

Suggested Answer:
Judge E committed an act of impropriety
by appearing in another court at the
hearing of his brothers election protest.
In the case of Vidal v. Dojillo, Jr., A.M. No.
MTJ-05-1591, July 14, 2005, which
involved the same facts, the Supreme
Court held as follows:

Question No. 1 (2009). NEW CODE OF


JUDICIAL CONDUCT) Admin Matter
No. 03-05-01-SC

Canon 2 of the Code of Judicial Conduct


requires a judge to avoid not only
impropriety but also the mere appearance
of impropriety in all activities. Even if
respondent did not intend to use his
position as a judge to influence the
outcome of his brothers election protest,
it cannot be denied that his presence in
the courtroom during the hearing of his
brothers case would immediately give
cause for the community to suspect that
his being a colleague in the judiciary
would influence the judge trying the case
to favor his brother.

True or False. The Bangalore Draft,


approved at a Roundtable meeting of
Chief Justices held at The Hague, is
now the New Code of Judicial
Conduct in the Philippines (True or
False, explain)
Answer:
True. The Bangolore Draft was adopted by
the Philippine Supreme Court through
admin matter No. 03-05-01-SC and which
took effect on June 1, 2004.

Question No. 6. Canon 1 of the Code


of Judicial Conduct ( 10%)

Question No. 11. (2009).) Rule 3.12


of the Code of Judicial Conduct

a. A and B are accused of Estafa


by C, the wife of Regional Trial
Court Judge D. Judge D testified
as
a
witness
for
the

In a case for homicide filed before


the Regional Trial Court( RTC),
Presiding judge Quintero issued an
34

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


order for an arrest of the accused,
granted a motion for the reduction of
bail, and set the date for the
arraignment
of=
the
accused.
Subsequently,
Judge
Quintero
inhibited himself from the case,
alleging that even before the case
was raffled to his court, he already
had personal knowledge of the
circumstances surrounding the case.
Is
Judge
Quinteros
inhibition
justified? Explain.

Rico, an amiable, sociable lawyer,


owns a share in Marina Golf Club,
easily one of the more posh golf
courses. He relishes hosting parties
for
government
officials
and
members of the bench.
One day, he had a chance meeting
with a judge in the Intramuros golf
course. The two readily got along
well and had once been regularly
playing golf together at the marina
Golf Club.

Answer:
YES. Rule 3.12 of the CJC Expressly
provides that judges should take no part
in the proceeding where the judges
impartially
might
be
reasonably
questioned which includes among other,
having personal knowledge of disputed
evidentiary
facts
concerning
the
proceeding.

b. How about the members of the


bench who grace the parties of
Rico, are they violating the Code
of Judicial Conduct? Explain. (3%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
YES. Canon 2 enjoins judges to avoid
impropriety and the appearance of
impropriety in all activities. Canon 1
states that judges should be the
embodiment of competence, integrity and
independence, of which integrity includes
impartiality.

Question No. 11 (2010)


On the proposal of Judge G, which
was accepted, he and his family
donated a lot to the city of Gyoza on
the condition that a public transport
terminal
would
be
constructed
thereon. The donation was accepted
and the condition was complied with.

Rule 2.03 of Canon 2- A judge shall not


allow family, social or other relationships
to influence judicial conduct or judgment.
The prestige of judicial office shall not be
used or lent to advance the private
interests of others nor convey the
impression that they are in a special
position to influence the judge.
Case law has it that the actuation of a
judge constantly eating and drinking in
public places with a lawyer who has cases
pending in his or her sala, public
suspicion may be aroused, thus tending
to erode the trust litigants in the
impartiality of the judge.

The family-owned tracts of land in


the vicinity of the donated lot
suddenly appreciated in value and
became commercially viable as in
fact a restaurant and a hotel were
soon after built.
Did the Judge commit any violation
of the Code of Judicial Conduct? (2%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
NO. There is no clear showing that the
Judge violated any of the provisions of the
CJC. There is no prohibition on donating
properties, especially if the same is to
serve public purpose or welfare.

Question No. 17-A (2010). Rule 3 & 4


Judge X was invited to be a guest
speaker
during
the
annual
convention of a private organization
which was covered by media. Since
he was given the liberty to speak on
any topic, he discussed the recent
decision of the Supreme Court
declaring that the President is not,
under the Constitution, proscribed
from appointing a Chief Justice
within two months before the
election.
In his speech, the judge demurred to
the Supreme Court decision and even

There is no clear showing or evidence


that the increase in value of their
adjacent properly motivated or was made
a precondition of the donation. As such,
no malice or corrupt intent amounting to
misconduct or corruption can be directly
imputed to the Judge.
Question No. 15-B (2010). Rule 2.03

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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


stressed that the decision is a
serious violation of the Constitution.
a.

The Code of Judicial Conduct expressly


provides that a judge should take no part
in a proceeding where the judges
impartiality
might
reasonably
be
questioned. These cases include among
others, proceedings where: the judge is
related by consanguinity or affinity to a
party litigant within the sixth degree or to
counsel within the fourth degree.

Did Judge X incur


any
administrative
liability?
Explain. (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
NO. Strictly construed, Judge X will not
incur any liability for making such a
comment or speech which is an
expression of an opinion to a case already
decided upon by the SC. What is enjoined
to be abstained from is making comments
on a pending or impending case. (Rule
3.07, CJC)

Question No. 16 (2010). Rule 5.10.


Judge L is assigned in Turtle
Province.
His
brother
ran
for
Governor in Rabbit Province. During
the election period this year, Judge L
took a leave of absence to help his
brother conceptualize the campaign
strategy. He even contributed a
modest amount to the campaign
kitty
and
hosted
lunches
and
dinners.

Furthermore, Canon 4 allows Judges to


engage in activities to improve the law,
the legal system and the administration
of justice.
ALTERNATIVE ANSWER:
YES. Openly criticizing the decision of the
SC, by a member of the bench does not
speak well of the judicial system, much
less the administration of justice in
relation to the perception and confidence
of the people on the people who run the
system. Unity and stability within the
judiciary is essential to the integrity of the
judicial system as a whole.

Did Judge L incur administrative


and/or criminal liability? Explain.
(3%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
YES. Judge L can be said to be
administratively liable but not criminally
liable.

Depending on the extent of the criticism


and the language used, he may thus be
administratively
liable
for
simple
misconduct. A judge should so behave at
all times as to promote public confidence
in the integrity and impartiality of the
judiciary.

Rule 5.10 of the Code of Judicial Conduct


provides that a Judge is entitled to
entertain personal views on political
questions, but to avoid suspicion of
political partisanship a judge shall not
make political speeches, contribute to
party funds, publicly endorse candidates
for political office or participate in other
partisan political activities.

Question No. 12 (2010). Rule 3.12.


The rule above does not make kinship an
exemption from compliance with the
prohibition.

Rebeccas complaint was raffled to


the sala of Judge A. Rebecca is a
daughter of Judge A.s wife by a
previous marriage. This is known to
the
defendant
who
does
not,
however, file a motion to inhibit the
Judge.

Question No. 6 (2011),


Judicial Conduct, Rule 3.12

Code

of

Is the Judge justified in not inhibiting


himself from the case? (3%)
In a verified complaint, Kathy said
that Judge Florante decided a
petition for correction of entry
involving the birth record of her
grandson, Joshua, who happened to
be child of Judge Florante's daughter,

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. The Judge is not justified in not
inhibiting himself since Rebecca is his
step daughter and is related to him by
one degree of affinity.

36

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Pilita. Judge Florante insisted that he
committed no wrong since the
proceeding was non-adversarial and
since it merely sought to correct an
erroneous entry in the childs birth
certificate. Is Judge Florante liable?

denied the charges and asserted that


any error in his judgment is
correctible only by an appeal, not by
an administrative suit. Should Judge
Rudy be disciplined?

Answer:
Answer:
(A) No,
because
Agnes'
complaint is merely based on
suspicions and speculations.

(A) Yes,
because
Florante
breached
the
rule
on
mandatory disqualification.

(B) No, because Agnes has yet to


establish that Rudy's decision is
plainly erroneous.

(B) No, because Judge Florante has


no pecuniary interest in the
proceeding.

(C) Yes, because he gravely abused


his discretion in recalling the entry
of judgment.

(C) No, because it is true the


proceeding was non-adversarial so
it prejudiced no one.

(D) Yes, because reconsidering the


judgment of conviction that the
MTC and he earlier issued shows
anomaly in Judge Rudy's action.

(D) Yes, since the correction in the


childs record affects the details of
birth of the child.

of

Question No. 18 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct,

On appeal, RTC Judge Rudy affirmed


the MTCs conviction of Lorna for
violation of the bouncing checks law
and
awarded
Agnes,
the
complainant,
Php1.6
million
in
damages. Two years later, upon
Lornas
motion
and
after
ascertaining that her counsel never
received the court's decision, Judge
Rudy recalled the entry of judgment
in the case, reversed himself, and
absolved Lorna of guilt. Claiming an
unjust judgment, Agnes filed an
administrative complained against
Judge Rudy, saying that it is plain
from the circumstances that he
connived with Lorna, her counsel,
and the handling prosecutor. But she
offered no further evidence. Rudy

Judge Cristina has many law-related


activities. She teaches law and
delivers lectures on law. Some in the
government consult her on their
legal problems. She also serves as
director of a stock corporation
devoted to penal reform, where she
participates in both fund raising and
fund management. Which of the
following statements applies to her
case?

Question No. 13
Judicial Conduct,

(2011)

Code

Answer:

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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


(A) She should not engage in fund
raising activities.

A Court Administrator's auditing


team found that Judge Ruby used
business cards which stated, in
addition to her official title as
presiding judge of her court, that she
is bar topnotcher, her law schools
"class valedictorian," and "one of the
most sought after private law
practitioners" before she joined the
judiciary, all of which are true. Asked
to explain this seeming impropriety,
Ruby pointed out that business cards
can include the persons "title" which
is broad enough to include in her
case her standing in the bar and all
the honors she earned. Did Ruby
commit an impropriety?

(B) Her activities are acceptable


except the part where she is
involved in fund management.
(C) She can teach law and
deliver lectures on law but not
do the other things.
(D) All of her activities are legal.

2011, Question (19) Code of Judicial


Conduct,

Answer:
One of the foundation principles of
the Bangalore Draft of the Code of
Judicial Conduct is the importance in
a modern democratic society of

(A) Yes, unless the cards were


given to her as a gift.
(B) No, because all she stated in
her business cards are true.
(C) Yes, because she showed a
hunger
for
publicity
and
recognition that debases her
judicial post.

Answer:
(A) a judicial system that caters to
the needs of the poor and the
weak.

(D) No, because she is free to


include in her business cards
details that say who she is.

(B) public confidence in its


judicial system and in the
moral authority and integrity of
its judiciary.
(C) the existence of independent
and impartial tribunals that have
the support of its government.

Question No. 31 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct

(D) judges who are learned in law


and jurisprudence.

Serving as counsel de oficio, Atty.


Mamerto
advised
John
of
the
consequences of his plea of not
guilty to the charge. Before trial
could be held, however, the presiding
judge died. As it happened, Atty.
Mamerto was appointed judge and

Question No. 30 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct, Canon2

38

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Johns case was assigned to him by
raffle. John quickly moved for the
judges disqualification. Is Judge
Mamerto under obligation to inhibit
himself from the case?

After
the
prosecution
crossexamined Shiela, a witness for the
accused, Judge Pedro asked her ten
additional questions that were so
intense they made her cry. One
question forced Sheila to admit that
her mother was living with another
man, a fact that weighed on the case
of the accused. This prompted the
latters counsel to move to expunge
the judges questions for building on
the prosecution's case. Judge Pedro
denied the motion, insisting that
bolstering a partys case is incidental
to the courts desire to be clarified.
Did Pedro commit an impropriety?

Answer:
(A) No, because his service to
John was just momentary.
(B) Yes, because his knowledge of
Johns case affects his judgment.
(C) No, because he was merely a
counsel de oficio.
(D) Yes, because he served as
John's counsel.

Answer:
(A) No, his ten questions could not
be
considered
an
undue
intervention.

Question No. 36 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct,

(B) No, because the judge is free to


inquire into any aspect of the case
that would clarify the evidence for
him.

What unhealthy attitude of mind


should a judge avoid falling into?

(C) Yes, because he effectively


deprived the defense of its
right to due process when he
acted both as prosecutor and
judge.

Answer:
(A) Hearing and adjudicating cases
is an important job.

(D) Yes, because nothing connects


his desire to be clarified with the
questions he asked.

(B) Courts are made for litigants.


(C) Litigants are made for the
courts.
(D) Courts should dispose of their
cases on time.

Question No. 49 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct

Administrative penalties imposed on


judges are

Question No. 48 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct
39

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Answer:

The audit revealed many different


defects in the granted petitions:
many
petitions
had
not
been
verified; the required copies of some
petitions were not furnished to the
Office of the Solicitor General and
the
Office
of
the
Provincial
Prosecutor; docket fees had not been
fully paid; the parties were not
actual residents within the territorial
jurisdiction of the court; and, in
some cases, there was no record of
the cross-examinations conducted by
the
public
prosecutor
or
any
documentary evidence marked and
formally offered. All these, viewed in
their
totality,
supported
the
improvident and indiscriminate grant
that the OCA found.

(A) curative.
(B) punitive.
(C) corrective.
(D) both
corrective.

punitive

and

Question No. 26 (2011), Code of


Judicial Conduct

If you were the counsel for Andy


Malasuerte and other litigants whose
marriages had been improperly and
finally annulled, discuss your options
in
administratively
proceeding
against Judge Contaminada, and
state where and how you would
exercise these options. (8%)

Administrative proceedings against


Judges of all courts and Justices of
the Court of Appeals and the
Sandiganbayan shall be

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

Answer:

As counsel for Andy Malasuerte, I have


the option of participating in the
administrative proceedings by filing a
verified complaint in writing against Judge
Contaminado, with the Office of the Court
Administrator, supported by affidavits of
persons who have personal knowledge of
the facts alleged therein or by documents
which may substantiate said allegations.
The complaint shall state clearly and
concisely
the
acts
and
omissions
constituting violations of standards of
conduct prescribed for judges by law, the
Rules of Court, the Code of Judicial
Conduct (Rules of Court, Rule 140, Sec. 1)
and the new Code of Conduct for the
Philippine Judiciary.

(A) private and confidential.


(B) public but subdued.
(C) private but transparent.
(D) public.

Question No. 6 (2013). Rules of


Court, Code of judicial conduct
An audit team from the Office of the
Court Administrator found that Judge
Contaminada
committed
serious
infractions
through
the
indiscriminate grant of petitions for
annulment of marriage and legal
separation. In one year, the judge
granted 300 of such petitions when
the average number of petitions of
similar
nature
granted
by
an
individual judge in his region was
only 24 petitions per annum.

(NOTES AND COMMENTS: The question


clearly
refers
to
administratively
proceeding against Judge Contaminado.
It is suggested that some credit should be
given if the examinee discusses the
options available for Andy Malasuerte to
obtain relief with regard to his improperly
and finally annulled marriage.)
Question No. 8 (2013).Code of
Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary
40

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Question No. 9 (2014) New Code of
Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary

The criminal case arising from the


P10-Billion Peso pork barrel scandal
was raffled to Sandiganbayan Justice
Marciano Cobarde. Afraid that he
would antagonize the parties, his
political patrons and, ultimately, his
judicial career, he decided to inhibit
from participating in the case, giving
"personal
reasons"
as
his
justification.
If you were to question the inhibition
of SB Justice Cobarde, on what legal
basis, and where and how will you do
this? (8%).

Judge A accepted a gift consisting


of assorted canned goods and other
grocery items from his compadre whose
friend has a pending case with him. He
accepted the gift just so as not to
embarrass his compadre. When his
compadre left his chambers, he asked his
secretary to donate the gift he received to
the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
Did the Judge cross the ethical line?
Explain your answer.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

The grounds relied upon by Justice


Cobarde for his inhibition conveys the
impression that the partis and his
political patrons are in a special position
improperly to influence him in the
performance of his judicial duties (New
Code of Conduct for the Philippine
Judiciary, Canon 4, Sec. 8). Furthermore,
the Sandiganbayan sits in Divisions, so
the fears of Justice Cobarde are
unfounded. Justice Cobarde should not
shirk from the performance of his judicial
duties.

In accepting a gift from his


compadre, which he must have
suspected was connected with the
case of his compadres friend,
because he accepted just in order
not to embarrass his compadre,
Judge A violated Section 13, Canon 4
of the New Code of Conduct for the
Philippine Judiciary provides that:
Judges and members of their
families shall neither ask for, nor
accept, any gift, bequest, loan or
favor in relation to anything done or
to be done or omitted to be done by
him or her in connection with the
performance of judicial duties

I would file a motion with the Division of


the Sandiganbayan in which Justice
Cobarde is sitting for the remittal of his
voluntary inhibition. I would advance in
motion the reasons why the personal
reasons set forth by the Justice are
insubstantial and does not merit his
inhibition. I would likewise set the motion
for hearing as appropriate.

Question No. 17 (2014) Canon 3 of


the New Code of Judicial Conduct
Judge Clint Braso is hearing a case
between Mr. Timothy and Khristopher
Company, a company where his wife used
to work as one of its Junior Executives for
several years. Doubting the impartiality of
the Judge, Mr. Timothy filed a motion to
inhibit Judge Clint Braso. Judge Clint Braso
refused on the ground that his wife has
long resigned from the company. Decide

(NOTES: The decision of Justice Cobarde


to inhibit himself on account of personal
reasons is not conclusive and his
competency may be determined on an
application for mandamus to compel him
to act (Palang v. Zosa, G.R. No. L-38229,
August 30, 1974).
The voluntary inhibition of Justice
Cobarde is not subject to mandamus
because voluntary inhibition involves his
exercise of discretion (Gutang, et al v.
Court of Appeals, et al, G.R. No. 124760,
July 8, 1998).

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
The fact that Judge Brasos
wife used to work for
KhristopherCompany is not a
41

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


mandatory ground for his inhibition.
However, Section 2, Canon 3 of the
New Code of Judicial Conduct for the
Philippine Judiciary provides that
judges should disqualify themselves
from participating in any proceeding
in which it may appear to a
reasonable observer that they are
unable to decide the matter in
partially. The Supreme Court has
advised that a judge should
exercise his decision in a way that
the peoples faith in the courts of
justice is not impaired (Pimentel v.
Salanga, [21 SCRA 160, Sept. 18,
1957]). While it may not be
reasonable to believe that Judge
Braso cannot be impartial because
his wife used to work as a Junior
Executive of Khristopher Company,
the better part of prudence would
dictate that he inhibit himself from
the case involving the said company.

Castillo v. Juan, 62 SCRA 124, a judge


spoke to the complainants in two
rape cases in his chamber before
trial, and advised them to settle
their cases with the accused because
their evidence was weak. The
Supreme Court found the conduct of
the judge to be violative of duty of
impartiality. The court stated that
the judge should avoid any conduct
that casts doubt on his impartiality.
It is not merely a matter of judicial
ethics.
It
is
impressed
with
constitutional significance.
(B)
Bs lawyer could move for the
disqualification or inhibition of the
judge, and if he refuses to inhibit,
his refusal can be raised to a higher
court by certiorari.

Question No.19 (2014) Canon 3 of


the New Code of Judicial Conduct
After the pre-trial of a civil case for
replevin, Judge D advised Bs counsel to
settle the case because according to
Judge D, his initial assessment of the case
shows that Bs evidence is weak.
(A) Did Judge D commit
impropriety? Explain.

an

act

of

(B) What remedy or remedies may be


taken by Bs lawyer against Judge D?
Discuss fully.
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(A)
Yes, Judge D acted improperly.
Sec. 4, Canon 3 of the New Code of
Judicial Conduct for the Philippine
Judiciary provides that judges shall
not knowingly, while a proceeding is
before or could come before them,
make any comment that might be
reasonably expected to affect the
outcome of such proceeding or
impair the manifest fairness of the
process. Nor shall judges make any
comment in public or otherwise that
might affect the fair trial of any
person or issue. In the case of
42

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Lapena, Jr. v. Marcos, A.M. No. 1969-MJ,
June 29, 1982); and (2) certification be
made in the notarized documents
attesting to the lack of any lawyer or
notary public in such municipality or
circuit. (Doughlas v. Lopez, Jr., A.M. No.
MTJ-96-1076, February 9, 2000; Gravela v.
Villanueva, A.M. No. 02-1414-MTJ, January
28, 2003)

NOTARIAL LAW
Question No. 7. (2007)
Notarial Practice (10%)

Rules

on

a. What evidence of identity does


the 2004 Rules on Notarial
Practice require before a
notary public can officially affix
his notarial seal on and sign a
document presented by an
individual whom the notary
public does not personally
know? (5%)

Question No. 9 (2009) A.M. No. 02-813-SC Rule IVPowers & Limitations
of Notaries Public, Section 3

Suggested Answer:
Section 12, Rule II of the 2004 Rules on
Notarial Practice defined competent
evidence of identity as referring to any of
the
following
identification
of
an
individual:
1. at least one current identification
document issued by an official
agency bearing the photograph
and signature of the individual; or
2. the oath or affirmation of one
credible witness not privy to the
instrument,
document
or
transaction who is personally
known to the notary public and
who
personally
knows
the
individual, or of two credible
witnesses neither of whom is privy
to the instrument, document or
transaction who each personally
knows the individual and shows to
the notary public documentary
identification.

A notary public is disqualified from


performing a notarial act when the
party to the document isa relative by
affinity within the 4th civil degree.
(True or False)
Answer:
True. Under Sec. 3 Rule IV of the 2004
Rules of Notarial Practice notary public is
disqualified from preforming a notarial act
if he is a spouse, common-law partner,
ancestor, descendant, or relative by
affinity or consanguinity of the principal
within fourth civil degree.
Question No. 14 (2009). Section 2,
Rule IV of the 2004 Rules on Notarial
Practice
Atty. Sabungero obtained a notarial
commission. On Sunday, while he
was at the cockpit, a person
approached him with an affidavit
that needed to notarize. Atty.
Sabungero immediately pulled out
from his pocket his small notarial
seal, and notarized the document.
Was the affidavit validly notarized?
Explain.

b. When
can
Judges
of
the
Municipal Trial Courts (MTC)
and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts (MCTC) perform the
function of notaries public ex
officio, even if the notarization
of the documents are not in
connection with the exercise of
their
official
function
and
duties? (5%)

Answer:
NO. The affidavit was not validly notarized
in accordance with the Rules on Notarial
Practice. The rules provide that a notary
public shall not perform a notarial act
outside his regular place of work or
business. A cockpit is clearly not a notary
publics regular place of business.

Suggested Answer:
MTC and MCTC judges assigned to
municipalities or circuits with no lawyers
or notaries public may, in the capacity as
notaries public ex-officio, perform any act
within the competency of a regular notary
public, provided that: (1) all notarial fees
charged be made for the account of the
Government and turned over to the
municipal treasurer (Tabao v. Asis, A.M.
No. RTJ-95-1330, January 30, 1996;

Atty. Sabungeros notarization of the


affidavit is not valid. Furthermore, the
facts in the case at bar is not one of the
exceptional occasions or situations where
a notarial act may be performed outside
43

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


the notary publics office and territorial
jurisdiction.

Question No. 8 (2011), Notarial law

Raul sought Ely's disbarment for


notarizing a deed of sale knowing
that four of the sellers were dead.
Ely admitted that he notarized the
deed of sale but only after his client
assured him that the signatures of
the others were authentic. Later,
Raul moved to have the complaint
against him dismissed on the ground
that it was filed because of a
misunderstanding which had already
been clarified. This prompted the IBP
to recommend the dismissal of the
complaint. Can the dismissal be
allowed?

Question No. 2 (2011)

The acknowledgment appearing in a


deed of sale reads: "Before me
personally appeared this 30 August
2010 Milagros A. Ramirez, who
proved her identity to me through
witnesses: 1. Rosauro S. Balana,
Passport
UU123456;
1-5-2010/
Baguio City; and 2. Elvira N. Buela,
Passport
VV200345;
1-17-2009/
Manila. "Both witnesses, of legal
ages, under oath declare that:
Milagros A. Ramirez is personally
known to them; she is the same
seller in the foregoing deed of sale;
she does not have any current
identification document nor can she
obtain one within a reasonable time;
and they are not privy to or are
interested in the deed he signed."
What is the status of such a notarial
acknowledgment?

Answer:
(A) No, unless the complainant
executes an affidavit of desistance.
(B) Yes, since no compelling reason
remained to continue with it.
(C) Yes, but recall Ely's notarial
commission since the charge
against him seems meritorious.

Answer:

(D) No, given Elys admission


that he notarized the document
when some signatories were
absent.

(A) Questionable since the notary


public is not shown to personally
know the principal party.
(B) Ineffective since it included
parties not privy to the deed.
(C) Invalid since the evidence of
identity is non-compliant with the
notarial rules.

Question No. 9(2011), Notarial law

(D) Valid since it is a manner of


establishing the identity of the
person
executing
the
document.

When will Atty. Antonio's notarial


commission expire if he applied for
and was given such commission on
12 November 2010?

Answer:
44

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


(A) 31 December 2012
(B) 31 December 2011

Question No. 32 (2011), Notarial law

(C) 11 November 2011


(D) 11 November 2012

Myra asked Atty. Elma to notarize


her deed of sale. When Elma asked
for Myra's competent evidence of
identity, she explained that she does
not have any current identification
document nor could she get one
soon. Instead, she presented her
friend, Alex, who showed Atty. Elma
his drivers license and confirmed
her
Myras
identity.
Is
Alexs
identification of Myra valid?

Question No. 11 (2011) Notarial law

Answer:
(A) Yes, provided Alex states in the
deed of sale that he knew Myra
personally.

Which of the following will subject


Atty. Lyndon, a Manila notary public,
to sanctions under the notarial
rules?

(B) No, Myra needs to produce


a valid identification document
of herself.
(C) No, since Alex is not himself a
party to the document.

Answer:
(A) Notarizing a verification and
certification
against
forum
shopping in Manila Hotel at the
request of his Senator-client.

(D) Yes, since Alex had a valid


identification document.

(B) Refusing to notarize an extrajudicial settlement deed after


noting that Ambo, a friend, was
delisted as heir when he was in fact
one.

Question No. 1-MCQ (2013). A.M. No.


02-8-13 SC Rule 2 Sec. 12
Under the 2004 Rules of Notarial Practice,
what may be used to satisfy the
requirement of competent evidence of
identity? (1%)

(C) Performing
signature
witnessing
involving
his
brother-in-law and recording it
in his register.

Answer:
(A) Passport, Senior Citizen card,
HMO card.

(D) Notarizing a deed of sale for


someone
he
knew
without
requiring any proof of identity.

(B) Police clearance, credit card,


Professional
Regulatory
Commission ID.
45

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


(C) Voters ID,
Drivers license.

NBI

clearance,

(D)
Ombudsmans
clearance,
private office ID, PhilHealth card.
(E) All of the above.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(C)
Voters
ID,
NBI
clearance,
Drivers license (Notarial Act, Sec.
12).

46

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


(B) In the will acknowledged
before him.

MCLE
Question No. 1 (2011), MCLE

(C) In the signature witnessing he


performed.
(D) In the
certified.

Atty. Mike started teaching Agrarian


Reform and Taxation in June 2001 at
the Arts and Sciences Department of
the Far Eastern University. In 2005,
he moved to San Sebastian Institute
of Law where he taught Political Law.
Is Atty. Mike exempt from complying
with the MCLE for the 4th compliance
period in April 2013?

document

copy

he

Question No. 23 (2011) MCLE

Provincial Governors and Municipal


Mayors who are lawyers are MCLE
exempt because

Answer:
(A) No, since he has yet to
complete the required teaching
experience to be exempt.

Answer:

(B) No, because he is not yet a bar


reviewer.

(A) they handle cases of their


constituents for free.

(C) Yes, since by April 2013, he will


have been teaching law for more
than 10 years.

(B) the Local Government Code


prohibits them from practicing
their profession.

(D) Yes, since he updated himself in


law by engaging in teaching.

(C) they
service.

are

rendering

public

(D) As experts in local governance,


it may be assumed that they are
updated on legal developments.
Question No. 22 (2011), Notarial Law,
MCLE

Question No. 5. (2013). Mandatory


Continuing Legal Education, Rule 12

In what documented act will a notary


publics failure to affix the expiration
date of his commission warrant
administrative sanction?

In order to comply with the MCLE


requirements, Atty. Ausente enrolled
in a seminar given by an MCLE
provider. Whenever he has court or
other professional commitments, he
would send his messenger or a
member of his legal staff to register

Answer:
(A) In the jurat of a secretary's
certificate.
47

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


his attendance at the MCLE sessions
so he could be credited with the
required qualifying attendance. He
would also ask them to secure the
printed handouts and the lecturers
CDs, all of which he studied in his
free time.

When
does
the
initial
MCLE
compliance
period
of
a
newly
admitted member of the bar begin?

Answer:
(A) On the first day of
month of his admission.

Atty. Ausente should be __________.


(1%)

the

(B) On the tenth day of the month


of his admission.
(C) On the third year after his
admission as member.

Answer:

(D) On the first year of the next


succeeding compliance period.

(A) required to make up for his


absence by attending lecture
sessions in other MCLE providers
(B)
sanctioned
because
he
circumvented
or
evaded
full
compliance
with
the
MCLE
requirements

Question No. 1 (2012) MCLE Rule 7


Atty. Galing is a Bar topnotcher. He
has been teaching major subjects in
a law school for eight (8) years and
has mastered the subjects he is
handling. Is he exempt from the
MCLE requirement?

(C) excused because he attended


to profession-related tasks, and
fully studied the courses through
the materials and CDs he secured
(D) penalized by forfeiting all his
earned MCLE units

Answer:

(E) excused because attendance by


proxy is a widespread and tolerated
MCLE practice

a. No, eight (8) years


experience is not
enough.
b. Yes, since he has mastered
what he is handling.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

c. Yes, professors of law are


exempted.

(B)
sanctioned
because
he
circumvented
or
evaded
full
compliance
with
the
MCLE
requirements (Mandatory Continuing
Legal Education, Rule 12, Section
xx).

d. No, since he is not yet a Bar


reviewer.
Question No. 2 (2012) MCLE Rule 7
Atty. Rey has been a professor in
the Legal Management Department
of Y University for thirty (30) years.
He teaches Constitution, Obligation
and Contracts, Insurance,
Introduction to Law. Is he exempted
from the MCLE requirement?

Question No. 27 (2011), MCLE

48

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


a. Yes, because his teaching
experience is already more
than ten (10) years.

a. When the lawyer


actually begins law
practice;

b. No, because he is not


teaching in the College
of Law.

b. Upon
admission/readmission to
the Bar;

c. Yes, because of his field of


knowledge and experience.

c. 01 October 2009;
d. 01 October 2006.

d. No, because Y University is


not accredited.

Does the MCLE requirement apply at


once to a newly-admitted lawyer?

Question No. 3 (2012) MCLE Rule 7


a. Yes, if admitted to the Bar
and there are four (4) more
months remaining of the
compliance period.

The term of Dean Rex of X College of


Law expired in the first year of the
third compliance period. Does his
exemption extend to the full extent
of said compliance period?

b. No, wait for the next


compliance period.

a. No, he must comply with


all the unit
requirements.

c. Yes, if he will start law


practice immediately.

b. Yes, to the full extent.

d. Yes, if more than one (1)


year remains of the
compliance period.

c. No, but comply


proportionately.

What is the purpose of MCLE?


d. Yes, but he must apply for
exemption.

a. To conform with the


requirements of
international law.

Question No. 4 (2012) MCLE Rule 7


What is the duration of MCLE
Compliance Period?

b. To provide a venue to
improve fraternal relations
among lawyers.

a. Twelve (12) months;


c. To keep abreast with law
and jurisprudence and to
maintain the ethical
standards of the profession.

b. Twenty four (24) months;


c. Thirty six (36) months;

d. To supplement legal
knowledge due to
substandard law schools.

d. Eighteen (18) months.

Atty. Aga was appointed as Treasurer by


the IBP President with the approval of the
Board of Governors for a term
coterminous with that of the President. A
year thereafter, Atty. Aga ran as
Barangay Chairman of their place, and
took a leave of absence for two (2)
weeks to campaign. May Atty. Aga reassume as Treasurer after his leave of
absence?

Question No. 5 (2012) MCLE Rule 7


When does compliance period
begin?

49

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


a. Yes, since he lost in the
election.

assails the decision, saying that there was


a violation of due process because he was
allowed to appear by himself and he did
not know that Consented Abduction is a
crime. Decide.

b. No, because he was


deemed resigned upon
filing of his certificate of
candidacy.

a. An accused before the RTC


may opt to defend himself in
person and he cannot fault
others for his decision.

c. Yes, because his position as


Treasurer is coterminous
with the President of the I
BP.

b. The RTC should have


appointed a counsel de oficio
to assist the accused even if
not sought or requested by
the accused.

d. No, because he should first


seek the approval of the IBP
Board of Governors before
running as Brgy. Chairman.

c. There was violation of due


process. There is disparity
between the expertise of a
public prosecutor and the
inexperience of a 2nd year
law student.

Atty. Magtanggol of the PAO was


assigned to defend X who is accused of
Slight Physical Injury before the MTC of a
far-flung town. During the trial, P02 Tulco
appeared in court on behalf of the
complainant. Atty. Magtanggol objected
to his appearance since the policeman is
not a member of the Bar.

d. A 2nd year law student has


sufficient knowledge of
criminal law and procedure,
hence, he is competent to
defend himself.

a. The objection is valid. It


should be the public
prosecutor who should
prosecute the criminal
action.

RTC Judge Bell was so infuriated by the


conduct of Atty. X who conveniently
absents himself when his clients do not
pay his appearance fee in advance. Atty.
X also uses disrespectful and obscene
language in his pleadings . . At one
point, when his case was called for
hearing, Atty. X did not appear for his
client although he was just outside the
door of the court room. Judge Bell
directed the client to summon Atty. X,
but the latter refused. Judge Bell then
issued an Order directing Atty. X to
explain why no disciplinary action shall
be imposed on him for this misconduct
but he refused the directive. Decide.

b. Atty. Magtanggol is just


afraid that his client may be
convicted through the
efforts of a non-lawyer.
c. In the courts of a
municipality, a party may
conduct his litigation in
person or with the aid of an
agent or friend.
d. If a public prosecutor is not
available, at least a private
prosecutor who must be a
lawyer should be
designated.

a. RTC Judge Bell can suspend


Atty. X from the practice of law
before his sala.
b. The case of Atty. X can be
dismissed due to nonappearance of counsel even
though the party was present.

Bong Tupak, a second year law student,


was charged in the RTC for Forcible
Abduction with Rape. Having knowledge of
criminal law and procedure, he dismissed
the counsel de oficio assigned and
appeared for himself. He asserted that
there was lack of force. Eventually, the RTC
found him guilty of Consented Abduction
and imposed the penalty. Bong Tupak now

c. The hearing of the case should


be rescheduled in the interest
of justice.
d. The court can admonish the
client for the unprofessional

50

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


and default in such payment for one
year shall be a ground for the
removal of the name of delinquent
member from the Roll of Attorneys.

conduct of his lawyer and ask


him to change his lawyer.

Question No. 30 (2014) MCLE


(A) Can a lawyer who lacks the number
of units required by the Mandatory
Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board
continue to practice his profession?
(B) May a lawyer be held liable for
damages by his client for the lawyers
failure to file the necessary pleadings to
prosecute the clients case and as a result
of which the client suffered damages?
(C) Can a lawyer still practice his
profession despite having arrears in his
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
dues?

Hence, a lawyer who is in arrears in


the payment of his IBP dues may still
practice his profession until he is
suspended and/or disbarred.

RULES OF COURT
Question No. 1 (2007), Lawyers Oath
(10%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

What are the duties of an attorney?

(A)
He can, but they will be unable
to comply with Bar Matter No. 1922
which requires that every pleading
filed in court or a quasi-judicial body
shall contain an annotation of the
number and date of their MCLE
compliance,
otherwise,
their
pleadings will be expunged and their
cases dismissed. They will also be
listed as delinquent members of the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines,
and the IBP Board of Governors can
recommend their suspension or
disbarment to the Supreme Court.
Until then, they can continue to
practice law but cannot file pleadings
in court or quasi-judicial bodies.
(B)
Yes, he may be held liable, Rule
18.03 of the Code of Professional
Responsibility
provides
that
a
lawyer shall not neglect a legal
matter entrusted to him, and his
negligence in connection therewith
shall
render
him
liable.
But
attorney-client relationship, want of
reasonable care and diligence, and
injury sustained by the client as the
proximate result thereof, are the
prerequisites to the maintenance of
an action for damages against a
lawyer.
(C)
Sec. 10, Rule 139-A of the
Rules of Court provides that default
in the payment of annual dues for
six months shall warrant suspension
of members in the Integrated Bar,

Suggested Answers:
Per the Attorneys Oath:
1. To maintain allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines;
2. To support its Constitution;
3. To obey the laws as well as the
legal orders of the duly constituted
authorities therein;
4. To do no falsehood, nor consent to
the doing of any in court;
5. To avoid wittingly or unwittingly
promoting or suing any groundless,
false or unlawful suit, nor give aid
or consent to the same;
6. To delay no man for money or
malice;
7. To conduct himself as a lawyer
according to the bets of his
knowledge and discretion with all
good fidelity well to the courts as
to his clients
Per Section 20, Rule 138 of the Rules of
Court:
1. To maintain the allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines;
2. To maintain the respect due to the
courts of justice and judicial
officers;
3. To counsel or maintain such actions
or proceedings only as appear to
him to be just, and such defenses
only as he believes to be honestly
debatable under the law;
4. To employ, for the purposes of
maintaining the causes confided to
him, such means only as are
consistent with truth and honor,
and never seek to mislead the
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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

judge or any judicial officer by an


artifice or false statement of fact or
law;
To
maintain
inviolate
the
confidence, and at every peril to
himself, to preserve the secret of
his client, and to accept no
compensation in connection with
his clients business except from
him with his knowledge and
approval;
To abstain from all offensive
personality, and to advance no fact
prejudicial
to
the
honor
or
reputation of a party or witness,
unless required by the justice of
the cause with which he is charged;
Not to encourage either the
commencement or the continuance
of an action or proceeding, or delay
any mans cause from any corrupt
motive or interest;
Never
to
reject,
for
any
consideration personal to himself,
the cause of the defenseless or
oppressed;
In the defense of a person accused
of crime, by all fair and honorable
means, regardless of his personal
opinion as to the guilt of the
accused, to present every defense
that the law permits, to the end
that no person may be deprived of
life or liberty, but by due process of
law.

N.B. It should be sufficient that the


answer contain either the attorneys oath,
the duties of an attorney under Section
20, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, or the
duties under the Code of Professional
Responsibility, as any of these provisions
sufficiently state the statutory basis of an
attorneys duties.
Question No. 17 (2009) Section 17 of
Rule 138 of the Rules of Court
Write the complete
attorneys oath.

text

of

the

Answer:
I___________
of
___________ do
solemnly swear that I will maintain
allegiance to the Republic of the
Philippines; I will support its Constitution
and obey laws as well as the legal orders
of the duly constituted authorities therein;
I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the
doing of any court; I will not wittingly nor
willingly promote or sue any groundless,
false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor
consent to the same; I will delay no man
for money or malice, and will conduct
myself as a lawyer according to the best
of my knowledge and discretion with all
good fidelity as well to the courts as to
my clients; and I impose upon myself this
voluntary obligations without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion. So help
me God.

Per
the
Code
of
Professional
Responsibility:
1. Duties to society in general to
uphold the Constitution, obey
the laws of the land and
promote respect for the law and
legal processes;
2. Duties to the legal profession
to uphold the dignity and
integrity of the legal profession;
3. Duties to the court to be
candid
with
and
promote
respect for the courts and
judicial officers, and to assist
the courts in rendering speedy
and efficient justice; and
4. Duties to the client to observe
candor, fairness and loyalty to
the client; hold the clients
money and property in trust,
serve
the
client
with
competence
and
diligence,
always mindful of the trust and
confidence reposed by the
client in him;

Question No. 2-MCQ (2013).


The following are duties of a lawyer
but only one of these is expressly
stated in the Lawyers Oath. Choose
the express duty that the Oath
contains. (1%)
Answer:
(A) To maintain a respectful
attitude towards the courts.
(B) To uphold the honor and dignity
of the legal profession.
(C) To act with courtesy, candor
and fairness toward other lawyers.
(D) To do no falsehood, nor consent
to the doing of any in court.
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(E) To respect the courts
uphold
the
dignity
of
profession.

and
the

hands. The lien exists only so long as the


attorneys retains possession ends. (De
Caina vs. Victoriano)
Question No. 6. Rule 138-A, Rules of
Court

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(D) To do no falsehood, nor consent
to the doing of any in court
(Lawyers Oath).

What is the student practice rule?


Answer:
Under this rule, a law student who has
successfully completed his 3rd year of the
regular
four
year
prescribed
law
curriculum and is enrolled in a recognized
law schools clinical legal education
program approved by the Supreme Court,
may appear without compensation in any
civil, criminal or administrative case
before any trial court, tribunal board or
officer, to represent indigent clients
accepted by the legal clinic of the law
school.

Question No. 8. (2008). Code of


Professional Responsibility,
Rule
138, sec37
State, with a brief explanation,
whether the lawyer concerned may
be sanctioned for the conduct stated
below.
e. Refusing to return certain
documents
to
the
client
pending
payment
of
his
attorneys fees. (3%)
(Rules of Court)

Question No. 10.(2009). Rule 115 of


the Rules of Court; Rule 138, Sec 34
May a party appear on his own
counsel in a criminal or in a civil
case? Explain.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. Rule 138, Section 37 of the Rules of
Court states that an attorney shall have
a lien upon the funds, documents and
papers of his client which have lawfully
come into his possession and may retain
the same until his lawful fees and
disbursements have been paid, and may
apply such funds to the satisfaction
thereof. Hence, he may keep the
documents pending payment of his
attorney's fees.

Answer:
Yes. In criminal cases, Sec 1(c) of the Rule
115 of the Rules of Court provide that
upon motion, the accused may be
allowed to defend himself in person when
it sufficiently appears to the court that he
can property his right without the
assistance of counsel.
On the other hand, with respect to civil
cases, Rule 138, Sec 34 states that in
the court of Justice of the peace a party
may conduct his litigation in person, with
the aid of an agent or friend appointed by
him for the purpose, or with the aid an
attorney. In any other, a party may
conduct his litigation personally or by aid
of an attorney and his appearance must
be either personal or by a duly authorized
member of the bar.

Question No. 2 (2009). RULE 138


Attorneys and Admission to Bar (Sec
37).
A charging lien, as distinguished
from a retaining lien, is an active lien
which can be enforced by execution.
Answer:
A lawyer to insure the payment of his
professional fee is either to retain the
funds, documents, and papers of his
client which may have lawfully come into
his possession, or to enforce it upon any
judgement for the payment of money he
may secure in favor of his client. And it
has been held that the retaining lien is
dependent upon possession and does not
attach to anything not in attorneys

Question No. 20 (2009). Section 27,


Rule 138
Atty. Simeon persuaded Armando,
Benigno and Ciriaco to invest in a
business venture that later went
bankrupt Armando, Benigno and
Ciriaco charged Atty. Simeon with
estafa. Simultaneously, they filed an
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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


administrative complaint against the
lawyer with the Supreme Court.

Question No. 11 (2010) Rule 138,


Rule 139-B.

a. If Simeon is convicted of Estafa,


will he be disbarred? Explain. (3%)

After passing the Philippine Bar in


1986, Atty. Richards practiced law
until 1996 when he migrated to
Australia where he subsequently
became an Australian citizen in 2000.
As
he
kept
abreast
of
legal
developments,
petitioner
learned
about the Citizenship Retention and
Re-Acquisition Act of 2003 (Republic
Act No. 9225), pursuant to which he
reacquired his Philippine citizenship
in 2006. He took his oath of
allegiance as a Filipino citizen at the
Philippine embassy in Canberra,
Australia. Jaded by the laid back life
in the outback, he returned to the
Philippines in December 2008. After
the holidays, he established his own
law office and resumed his practice
of law.

Answer:
YES, if Atty Simeon is convicted of estafa,
he will be disbarred because estafa is a
crime involving moral turpitude. Under
the law, conviction of a crime involving
moral turpitude is a ground for
disbarment.
b. If Simeon is acquitted of the
estafa charge, will the disbarment
complaint be dismissed? Explain.
Answer:
It depends, if the acquittal is based on the
ground that no crime was committed,
than the administrative case may be
dismissed. But if the acquittal is based
merely on reasonable doubt, than the
disbarment case may still continue. The
purpose of the disbarment case is to
determine whether a lawyer still deserves
to remain a member of the bar.

Months later, a concerned woman


who had secured copies of Atty.
Richards naturalization papers with
consular authentication, filed with
the Supreme Court an anonymous
complaint against him for illegal
practice of law.

Question No. 5 (2010). Rule 138


a. May the Supreme Court act upon
the
complaint
filed
by
an
anonymous person? Why or why
not? (3%)

When is professional incompetence a


ground for disbarment under the
Rules of Court? Explain. (3%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Professional incompetence of a lawyer
may be a ground for disbarment when his
incompetence is so total, gross and
serious that he cannot be trusted with the
duty to protect the rights of clients.
Gross incompetence in handling a case
constitutes
malpractice
or
gross
misconduct in office which are grounds
for suspension or disbarment under Sec.
27, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. An unverified complaint cannot be
given due course since the rule requires
that the complaint must be sworn to by
the complainant. (Evangelista v. Baes)
As a rule, anonymous complaints are not
actionable except when the charges can
be fully borne by public records of
indubitable integrity, thus needing no
corroboration by evidence to be offered
by the complainant whose identity and
integrity could be material and I of public
interest. ( In re Echiverri)

Obiter.
Canon 18- A lawyer shall serve his client
with competence and diligence. Rules
18.01- A lawyer shall not undertake a
legal service which he knows or should
know that he is not qualified to render.
However, he may render such service if,
with the consent of his client, he can
obtain as collaborating counsel a lawyer
who is competent on the matter.

Obiter.
A jusge cannot be found guilty on hearsay
affidavit.(Negado v. Autajay).
ALTERNATIVE ANSWER:
YES. Rule 139-B states that Proceedings
for the disbarment, suspension, or
discipline of attorneys may be taken by
the Supreme Court, motu proprio or by
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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


the IBP upon the verified complaint of any
person.

Arabella
filed
a
complaint
for
disbarment against her estranged
husband Atty. P on the ground of
immorality and use of illegal drugs.

The case at bar shows a complaint by an


anonymous person which the Supreme
Court, may or may not take cognizance
of. Should the SC act in the affirmative, it
would normally direct the IBP to
investigate, verify the allegations and
thereafter file the verified complaint,
subject to the right of the attorney to be
heard before any removal or suspension
under Rule 138.

After Arabella presented evidence


and rested her case before the
Investigating Commissioner of the
IBP Committee on Bar Discipline, she
filed an Affidavit of Desistance and
motion to dismiss the complaint, she
and her husband having reconciled
for the sake of their children.

b. Is respondent entitled to resume


practice of law? Explain. (5%)

You
are
the
Investigating
Commissioner of the IBP. Bearing in
mind that the family is a social
institution which the State is dutybound to preserve, what will be your
action on Arabellas motion to
dismiss the complaint? (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Yes. Atty. Richards being a former
member of the bar in good standing can
resume the practice of law in the
Philippines, provided he observes the
procedure in reassuming the practice of
law.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
I will accept the Affidavit of Desistance
and put on hold the administrative
charges against Atty. P. In the case at bar,
there is no compelling reason to continue
with the proceedings since there is clear
showing that the parties have fully
reconciled and the causes of action on
which the complaint was filed no longer
exist.

Question No. 9 (2010). Rule 139-B.


Is the defense of Atty. R in a
disbarment complaint for immorality
filed by his paramour P that P is in
pari delicto material or a ground for
exoneration? Explain.(3%)

The rule admits of exception on the


general rule is that no investigation shall
be interrupted or terminated by reason of
the desistance, settlement, compromise,
restitution, withdrawal of the charges or
failure of the complainant to prosecute
the same unless the Supreme Court motu
proprio or upon recommendation of the
IBP Board of Governors, on the ground
enunciated above.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
No. In pari delicto will not exempt the
lawyer. Case law states that in a
disbarment proceeding, it is immaterial
that the complainant is in pari delicto
because it is not a proceeding to grant
relief to the complainant, but one to
purge the law profession of unworthy
member, to protect the public and the
courts. (Mortel v. Aspiras)

Case
law
supports
the
following:
withdrawal of the complaint and there is
no more evidence that could substantiate
the charge, then it is dismissible (In Re
Tipon) and that lack of interest to
prosecute may justify the dismissal of the
case. (Worthington v Fernandez; Luyon v
Atencia)

Obiter. Rule 1.01 states that: A lawyer


shall not engage in unlawful, dishonest,
immoral or deceitful conduct. Immoral
conduct is that which is willful, flagrant,
or shameless, and which shows a moral
indifference to the opinion of the good
and
respectable
members
of
the
community. (Arciga v. Maniwang)

Question No. 17-B. (2010) Rule 140.


Judge X was invited to be a guest
speaker
during
the
annual
convention of a private organization
which was covered by media. Since
he was given the liberty to speak on
any topic, he discussed the recent

Question No. 20. (2010). Rule 139-B.

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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


decision of the Supreme Court
declaring that the President is not,
under the Constitution, proscribed
from appointing a Chief Justice
within two months before the
election.
In his speech, the judge demurred to
the Supreme Court decision and even
stressed that the decision is a
serious violation of the Constitution.

Restraining Orders by Judge X, the


Supreme Court ordered the conduct
of a discreet investigation by the
Office of the Court Administrator.
Judges in the place where Judge X is
assigned confirmed the complaints.
a. What administrative charge/s may
be leveled against Judge X?
Explain. (3%)

b. If instead of ventilating his


opinion
before
the
private
organization,
Judge
X
incorporated it, as an obiter
dictum, in one of his decisions,
did he incur any administrative
liability? Explain. (3%)

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Judge X could be charged with Serious
Charges punishable under Rule 140 of the
Rules of Court, which specifically include:
bribery and dishonesty and violations of
the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices
Law(R.A 3019) when he made the
issuance of TROs for sale.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
YES. Strictly construed, the loyalty of and
faithfulness of the judge to the law vis a
vis the Supreme Court with an open and
public criticism of the SC decision can
constitute simple misconduct which will
render him liable for less serious charges
under Rule 140. His criticism undermines
the authority of the SC and even if bona
fide, must still be ventilated. If ever, in
the proper forum and proper procedure
and not thru the obiter dictum.

In addition, such gross misconduct can


also be constitutive of grounds for
disbarment under Rule 138 of the Rules of
Court.
Obiter: If he is guilty of a serious charge,
he may be sanctioned with dismissal from
service,
forfeiture
of
benefits,
disqualification from reinstatement or any
public office, suspension and/or fine.

Obiter: Of more important consideration


is the fact that his decision must be
based on the law and not his personal
opinion. It is hard to imagine how the
issue of midnight appointments can he
related to the issues in his decided case,
and therefore inappropriate and irrelevant
under the circumstances.

b. What defense/s can Judge X raise


in avoidance of any liability? (2%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Judge X can raise the defense of denial of
due process by questioning the time and
manner of notice as well as the lack of
opportunity to be heard, answer the
charges against him and produce
witnesses in his behalf and be heard by
himself or counsel. He can raise defenses
of hearsay evidence, lack of evidence
that meets the quantum of evidence
required to render him guilty of charges
set forth.

Guidelines in the efficient rendition of


judgment or judicial opinion include: if the
personal views of the judge contradict the
applicable doctrine romulgated by the SC,
nonetheless, the judge should decide the
case in accordance with the doctrine
(Albert v CFI) and not in accordance with
his personal views (SC Circular No. 13,
1987). This is to maintain the stability of
precedents. However, he is not prohibited
from expressing his views if only to invite
constructive attention on the matter.

Question No. 6 (2013). Rules of


Court, Rule 141, Sec. 1 payment of
fees
Plaintiff Jun Ahorro filed a complaint
for collection of sum of money before
the Regional Trial Court of Manila.
Because of the large amount of his
claim, he had to pay a sizeable
docket fee. He insisted on paying the
docket fee and other fees in
installments
because
staggered

Question No. 13 (2010). Rule 138,


140.
Reacting to newspaper articles and
verbal
complaints
on
alleged
rampant
sale
of
Temporary
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payment is allowed under Rule 141,
as amended. The Office of the Clerk
of Court (OCC) refused to accept the
complaint unless he paid the full
amount of the docket and other
required fees.

Plaintiff
Jun
__________. (1%)

Ahorros

In their confrontation, Jactar dared


Medroso to sue, bragged about his
connections with the courts, and
even uttered veiled threats against
Medroso.
During
the
police
investigation that followed, Medroso
learned that Jactar was reviewing for
the Bar examinations.
Under these facts, list and justify the
potential objections that can be
made against Jactars admission to
the practice of law. (8%)

position

Answer:

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

(A) is allowed because of the large


amount of the docket fee

The potential objection that can be made


against Jactars admission to the practice
of law is the absence of good moral
character (Rules of Court, Rule 138, Sec.
2).

(B) is justified because it is


discretionary on the part of the
OCC to accept staggered payment

Jactars bragging about his connection


with the courts and uttering veiled threats
against Medroso are indications of his
lack of good moral character. His acts are
contrary to justice, honesty, modesty or
good morals (In re Basa, 4 Phil. 276). He
has acted in a manner that has violated
the private and social duties which a man
owes to his fellowmen, or to society in
general, contrary to the accepted and
customary rule of tight and duty between
man and man (Tak Ng v. Republic, G.R.
No. L-13017, December 23, 1959).

(C) is incorrect because the


amendment on staggered payment
has been suspended
(D) is not allowed because the full
payment
of
docket
fee
is
jurisdictional
(E) cannot be allowed because of
its prejudicial impact on the
judiciarys financial operations

[NOTES: Any answer which explains the


nature of absence of good moral
character should be given full credit.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

The following additional objection should


not result to a deduction nor should an
absence of the additional objection also
result to a deduction].

(D) is not allowed because the full


payment
of
docket
fee
is
jurisdictional (Rules of Court, Rule
141, Sec. 1).

B. If light threats would be filed against


him, then another potential objection
would be the pendency of charges
against him, involving moral turpitude
(Rules of Court, Rule 138, Sec. 2).

Question No. 3 (2013). Rules of Court


Rule 138
Miguel Jactar, a fourth year law
student, drove his vehicle recklessly
and hit the rear bumper of Simplicio
Medrosos
vehicle.
Instead
of
stopping, Jactar accelerated and
sped away. Medroso pursued Jactar
and caught up with him at an
intersection.

The question states, Under these facts,


list and justify the potential objections
that can be made against Jactars
admission to the practice of law.
The question requires that an assumption
be made that Jactar has passed the Bar
Examination and is about to take his oath
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Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


as an attorney. It is suggested that the
better question should have been: Under
these facts list and justify the potential
objections that can be made against
Jactars being admitted to take the Bar
Examination.

cause (Sec. 26, Rule 138, Rules of


Court)

MISCELLANEOUS
Question No. 4. (2007).

Question No. 6 (2014) Rule 138 of


the Rules of Court

When is recovery of attorney's fees


based on quantum meruit allowed?
(10%)

Atty. D was required by Judge H of


the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila to
show cause why he should not be
punished of contempt of court for
shouting invectives at the opposing
counsel and harassing his witness.
Assuming that there was sufficient cause
or ground, may Judge H suspend Atty. D
from the practice of law? If Judge H finds
that the actuations of Atty. D are grossly
unethical and unbecoming of a member
of the bar, may judge H disbar Atty. D
instead? Explain your answer. (5%)

Suggested Answer:
The recovery of attorneys fees on
quantum meruit is allowed in the
following circumstances:
1. When there is no agreement as to
attorneys fees.
2. When the agreement as to
attorneys fees is invalid for some
reason other than the illegality of
the object of the performance.
3. When the attorney and the client
disregard the contract for
attorneys fees.
4. When the amount of the attorneys
fees is found to be unconscionable
(Section 24, Rule 138 of the Rules
of Court).
5. Where the stipulated fees are in
excess of what is expressly fixed by
law.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Under Section 28, Rule 138 of
the Rules of Court, a Regional Trial
Court may suspend a lawyer from the
practice of law for any of the causes
provided in Section 27, until further
action of the Supreme Court, but it
may not disbar him, for any of the
Supreme Court can disbar a lawyer
pursuant to its constitutional power
to admit persons to the practice of
law.

Question No. 3 (2009) Practice of


Law -Legal Concepts (Bienvenu v.
Factors of Traders Insurance Cp., 33
La.Ann.209)
An attorney ad hoc is a lawyer
appointed by the court to represent
an absentee defendant in suit in
which the appointment is made.
(True or False)

Question No. 20 (2014) Rules Of


Court
B hired Atty. Z to file a replevin case
against C for an agreed acceptance fee of
P30,000.00 which was evidenced by a
written contract. After the complaint was
filed by Atty. Z, B terminated his services
and hired a new lawyer for the same
amount of attorneys fees. How much
attorneys fees is Atty. Z entitled to?

Answer:
TRUE
Question No. 4 (2009) Rule 138.
What is the object of the bar
examinations? Explain
Answer:
Jurisprudence has provided that the
practice is not a right but privilege
bestowed by the State upon those who
show that they possess, and continue to
possess, the qualifications required by
law for the conferment of such privilege.
Therefore, in order to stay true with the

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Atty. Z is entitled to the entire
amount of the attorneys fees agreed
upon because his services were
terminated by the client without just
58

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aforementioned principles, the object of
the bar exam is to serve as a mechanism
to determine who are qualified to practice
law.

Her medical condition per se is not a


defense and is untenable since she is not
in a position nor has the authority to
disregard a clear directive.

Question No. 5. RULE 138 Attorneys


and Admission to Bar (Sec 33).

Question No. 3. (2009). Rule 138,


Sec2; Chapter 2, Canon 7, CPR

May a party appear as his own


counsel in a criminal or in a civil
case? Explain

Cliff and Greta were law school


sweethearts. Cliff became a lawyer,
but Greta dropped out. One day, Cliff
asked Greta to sign a marriage
contract. The following day, Cliff
showed Greta the document already
signed by an alleged solemnizing
officer and two witnesses. Cliff then
told Greta that they were already
married and Greta consented to go
on a honeymoon. Thereafter, the
couple cohabited and begot a child.
Two years later, Cliff left Greta and
married
a
Venezuelan
beauty.
Incensed, Greta filed a disbarment
complaint against Cliff. Will the case
prosper? Explain.
Answer:
YES. The disbarment case will prosper
against Cliff for lack of continuing
requirements as a lawyer. In case
analogous to the instant case, a lawyer
who led a woman into believing that they
had been married civilly was disbarred
because the court considered the lawyer
complained of as lacking in integrity and
good moral character for him to remain
as a member of the bar. (Cabrera vs.
Agustin, Phil 106. 256)

Answer:
Yes. In criminal cases, Sec. 1 of Rule 115
of the Rules of Court provide that upon
motion, the accused may be allowed to
defend to defend himself in person when
it sufficiently appears to the court that he
can properly protect his right without the
assistance of counsel.
On the other hand, with respect to civil
cases, Rule 138, Sec. 34 states that in
the court of in justice of the peace a party
may conduct his litigation on person, will
the aid of an agent or friend appointed by
him for the purpose, or personally or by
aid an attorney. In any other court, a
party
may
conduct
his
litigation
personally or by aid of an attorney, and
his appearance must be either personal
or by a duly authorized member of the
bar.
Question No. 12. SC Administrative
Circular (AC No. 25 of June 9, 1989)
After being diagnosed with stress
dermatitis, Judge Rosalind, without
seeking
permission
from
the
Supreme Court, refused to wear her
robe during court proceedings. When
her
attention
was
called,
she
explained that whenever she wears
her robe she is reminded of her
heavy caseload, thus making her
tense. This, in turn, triggers the
outbreak of her skin rashes. Is Judge
Rosalind justified in not wearing her
judicial robe? Explain.

Question
No.
Internal Rules
Appeals

16
of

(2009).
2002
the Court of

Court of Appeals (CA) Justice was


administratively charged with gross
negligence of the law for having
issued
an
order
Temporarily
enjoining the implementation of a
writ of execution, and for having
issued another order for the parties
to maintain the status qou in the
same case. Both orders are obviously
without any legal basis and violate
CA rules. In his defense, Justice Juris
claims that the challenged orders
were collegial acts of the CA Division
to which he belonged. Thus, he
posits that the charge should not be
filed against him alone, but should
include the two other CA justices in

Answer:
NO. Judge Rosalind is not justified in not
wearing her judicial robes, absent a clear
exemption granted to her by the Supreme
Court from mandatory compliance with
SC Administrative Circular (AC No. 25 of
June 9, 1989) requires the wearing of
black robes by judges during sessions in
their respective courts.
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the Division. Is the contention of
Justice Juris tenable? Explain.

(C) Yes, because the rulings in his


favor have become final and
executory.

Answer:
NO. The contention of Justice Juris is
untenable. Case law has it had it that
while actions of a case pending in the CA
are actions of that court as a collegial
body, the 2002 Internal Rules of the Court
of Appeals provides that it is the ponente
who initiates the actions on said motions,
papers and pleadings. Hence, there can
be no action on a motion, paper or any
other
incident
except
upon
prior
instruction of the ponente. He has the
primary responsibility of ensuring that the
pending incidents in a case assigned to
him are properly and promptly acted on.
(Orocio v. Roxas, A.M. nos. 07-115-CA-J
and CA-08-46-J, 19 August 2008).

(D) Yes, since his parents are


Filipinos based on what he said in
his bar exam petition.

Question No. 10 (2011), Katarungan


Pambarangay

Elaine filed a complaint against Fely


before their barangay concerning a
contract that they entered into.
During conciliation, Fely came with
Sarah, who claimed the right to
represent her minor sister. The
barangay captain let Sarah assist her
sister. Eventually, the barangay
issued a certificate to file action
after the parties failed to settle their
differences. When Sarah formally
appeared as lawyer for her sister,
Elaine
filed
an
administrative
complaint against her for taking part
in the barangay conciliation and
preventing the parties from taking
meaningful advantage of the same.
Is Sarah liable?

Question No. 4 (2011), Citizenship

Lee became a lawyer in 1988 under a


claim that he is a Filipino like his
parents.
Efren
sought
Lees
disbarment on the ground that he
really is a Chinese. To prove he is a
Filipino, Lee cited an Albay regional
trial courts final judgment in an
action to recover real property which
mentioned his citizenship as Filipino.
This final judgment resulted in the
correction of his birth records in a
separate special proceeding to show
he is a Filipino, not Chinese as there
stated. Is Lees claim to Filipino
citizenship valid?

Answer:
(A) No, because she has to
represent her sister who was a
minor.
(B) No, because the Court can
always dismiss the case without
prejudice to a genuine conciliation.

Answer:
(A) No, since the mention of his
citizenship in the land case was
just incidental.

(C) Yes, because what Sarah did


was deceitful and amounts to
fraud.

(B) No, since those rulings were not


appealed to the Supreme Court.

(D) Yes, because as a lawyer,


she is absolutely forbidden to
appear
in
barangay
conciliations.
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which she was involved by giving her
legal
advice
and
preparing
a
complaint that she eventually filed in
court under her own signature. When
the lawyer for the defendant learned
of it, he told Ronnie to desist from
practicing law. But he disputed this,
claiming that he had not practiced
law since he did not receive
compensation from Beth for his help.
Is Ronnie correct?

2011, Question (12), RA 910, Sec1

Justice Frank, a retired Court of


Appeals justice, appeared before the
Supreme
Court
on
behalf
of
Landbank, a government bank, in a
case involving the compensable
value of the property taken from a
landowner under the agrarian reform
law.
The
landowner
questioned
Justice Frank's appearance in the
case, pointing out that the same is
unethical and smacks of opportunism
since he obviously capitalizes on his
judicial experience. Is Justice Frank's
appearance in the case valid?

Answer:
(A) Yes, because he could as a
paralegal provide competent legal
help to litigants.
(B) Yes, for so long as he did not
sign the complaint or appeared as
Beth's lawyer.
(C) No, unless Beth was ill-advised
in filing her complaint in court.

Answer:
(A) Yes, because the law allows
such appearance as long as the
government is not the adverse
party.

(D) No, because receipt of


compensation is not the sole
determinant of legal practice.

(B) No, because he cannot enjoy


his retirement pay and at the same
time work for a government
institution.

Question
Principle

No.

43

(2011),

General

(C) Yes, since Landbank does not


perform government function.
To whom may the Supreme Court
refer complaints against lawyers for
investigation?

(D) No, he should have waited for


at
least
a
year
to
avoid
improprieties.

Answer:
Question No. 41 (2011),
Principle (practice of law)

(A) Integrated
Philippines.

General

Bar

of

(B) Office of the Bar Confidant.


(C) Judicial and Bar Council.

Ronnie, a paralegal in a law firm,


helped Beth in a property dispute in
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(D)
Office
Administrator.

of

the

Question No. 44 (2011),


Principle (prescription)

Court

Atty. Alfredo Prado from his province


who had been dead for years. When
Atty. Armando checked with the
Supreme Court, only one Alfredo
Prado was in the roll of attorneys.
What action can Atty. Armado take
against Vicente who had taken a
dead lawyers identity?

General

Answer:

After several years as a private


practitioner, Ben got appointed as
Regional Trial Court judge. Five years
after his appointment, he received
summons directing him to answer a
disbarment complaint that pertained
to a document he notarized more
than 10 years ago from appointment
date. He sought the dismissal of the
complaint arguing that the cause of
action has prescribed. Must the
complaint be dismissed?

(A) File direct contempt action


against Vicente for deceiving the
court.
(B) Criminally
prosecute
Vicente for estafa for making
money upon false pretense.
(C) Criminally prosecute Vicente for
theft of Alfredo's identity and law
practice.
(D) Institute a disbarment case
against Vicente for misrepresenting
himself as lawyer.

Answer:
(A) No,
because
such
complaints do not prescribe.
(B) Yes, because the complaint
creates a chilling effect on judicial
independence.

Question
Principle

No.

35

(2011),

General

(C) No, but the complaint should be


verified to ensure transparency.
What is the method of national
inquiry into the conduct of Supreme
Court magistrates?

(D) Yes, because actions on


contracts prescribe in 10 years.

Answer:
Question
Principle

No.

47

(2011),

General

(A) Administrative investigation.


(B) Disqualification.
(C) Impeachment.

Atty. Alfredo Prado appeared in a


case as legal officer of the Land
Registration Authority (LRA). His
opponent, Atty. Armando, knew an

(D) Disbarment.

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You are a lawyer working in the Public
Assistance Office. Yolly, a key witness in
the case (reckless imprudence resulting in
homicide) you are handling, is indigent
and illiterate. While Yolly is willing to
testify in court, you worry that the judge
might not be able to appreciate the
impact of her testimony, as she has a
difficult time answering English questions.
You also worry that this might affect her
credibility. Further, Yolly has indicated
that she might not have the money to pay
the fare to attend the trial. You are
presenting her as a witness for the
defense at the hearing next week.

Question No. 21 (2011), Non-lawyer


appearing in Court

Eric, a labor federation president,


represented Luisa, a dismissed WXT
employee, before the NLRC. Atty.
John
represented
Luisa's
two
cocomplainants. In due course, the
NLRC
reinstated
the
three
complainants with backwages and
awarded 25% of the backwages as
attorneys fees, 15% for Atty. John
and 10% for Eric, a non-lawyer. When
WXT appealed to the Court of
Appeals, Atty. John questioned Erics
continued appearance before that
court on Luisas behalf, he not being
a lawyer. Is Eric's appearance before
the Court of Appeals valid?

Which of the following is NOT


permissible act for you to do? (1%)

Answer:
(A) Provide Yolly with money for
fare to ensure her attendance in
court.

Answer:
(A) Yes, for Eric has a personal
stake, the fees awarded to him, in
defending the NLRC's decision in
the case.

(B) Interview Yolly before trial, so


that she will be more at ease when
she testifies before the court.

(B) No, since John can very well


represent Luisa, she being in the
same situation as his own clients.

(C) Prepare a judicial affidavit of


Yollys testimony, which she will
then verify before the court.

(C) No,
because
the
representation of another in
courts can be entrusted only to
lawyers.

(D) Provide her with sample


questions that you might ask in the
hearing tomorrow.
(E) All the above are permissible.

(D) Yes, since that appeal is a mere


continuation of the labor dispute
that began at the NLRC.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
All the above are permissible. All are
permissible; therefore, (E) should be
equivalent to none of the above.

Question
No.
Permissible acts

18-MCQ

(2013).

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Question No. 9-MCQ (2013).

Question No. 7-MCQ (2013).

Graft Investigator Atty. Retirada


served the Office of the Deputy
Ombudsman for eight years before
retiring from the service. While still a
Graft Investigator, she investigated a
government
contract
for
office
supplies where Mr. Sakim was the
supplier.
The
transaction
was
supposedly
overpriced.
Atty.
Retirada
recommended
that
no
charges be filed against the officials
involved and the recommendation
benefited Mr. Sakim as the supplier
involved in the transaction.

Atty. Anunciante is engaged in the


practice of law and has a regular,
live, weekly TV program where he
gives
advice
to
and
answers
questions from the audience and
program viewers concerning U.S.
immigration problems. Occasionally,
advertisements inviting viewers to
watch his TV program are shown
outside
his
regular
program
schedule. Because of the popularity
of his TV program, the number of his
law
practice
clients
increased
tremendously.

After her retirement from the


service, Atty. Retiradas services as
counsel were engaged by Mr. Sakim
as counsel to represent the Sakim
family in a claim against the State
arising from a family property that
had
been
expropriated.
Atty.
Retirada now consults you about the
ethical permissibility of accepting
the engagement.

The TV program of Atty. Anunciante


is __________. (1%)

Answer:
(A) permissible because it is public
service in nature

What advice would you give Atty.


Retirada? (1%)

(B) objectionable because the work


involves indirect advertising or
solicitation of business
(C) improper because it gives him
an unfair advantage over other
lawyers

Answer:
(A) Having been in government
service, she cannot now represent
a party with a claim against the
State.

(D) ethically allowable because it


does not violate the traditional
standards of the legal profession

(B) Having once handled a case


involving her prospective client, a
conflict of interest would exist if
she
were
to
accept
the
engagement.

(E) None of the above.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(E) None of the above.

(C) Representing the Sakim family


would involve the unethical use of
information she obtained while in
government service.
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(D) There is no
her acceptance
because the
criminal nor
character.

ethical objection to
of the engagement
case is neither
administrative in

(B) Tell the defendants counsel the


correct amount of damages.
(C) Offer him a reasonably low
amount so that the case can
immediately be settled.

(E) Acceptance of the engagement


should be on condition that Atty.
Retirada would withdraw if a
conflict of interest situation arises.

(D) Ask the defendants counsel to


first submit his negotiating figure.
(E) Play hard-to-get and initially
refuse
all
the
defendants
initiatives to settle.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(D) There is no ethical objection to
her acceptance of the engagement
because the case is neither criminal
nor administrative in character.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(D) Ask the defendants counsel to
first submit his negotiating figure. It
is the defendant that must submit
first the negotiating figure.

There is no conflict of interest since


the case involved is an expropriation
case (R.A. 910, Sec. 1).

Question

No.

3-MCQ

(2013).

Question No. 10-MCQ (2013).

Striking out of names in the Roll of


Attorneys

Your client is the plaintiff in a civil


case for damages arising from a car
accident where he sustained serious
physical
injuries
and
damages
amounting to P1Million. The counsel
for the defendant asks you to give
him a proposed amount for purposes
of settlement and you are aware that
whatever amount you tell him would
not readily be accepted and would
probably be cut into half.

Atty. Avaro has consistently failed to


pay his annual IBP dues for several
years. Demand letters have been
sent
to
him
and
he
has
acknowledged
receipt
of
these
letters. However, all the IBPs efforts
proved futile. As a result, the IBP
sent Atty. Avaro a notice that his
name would be stricken off the Roll
of Attorneys.

What is your best legal and ethical


course of action? (1%)

Was the IBPs action correct? (1%)

Answer:
Answer:
(A) No, because default in the
payment of annual dues only
warrants suspension of Integrated
Bar members.

(A) Inflate your proposal to make


allowances for a compromise.

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(B) Yes, because non-payment of
annual dues is an indicator of the
lawyers moral fitness; refusal to
pay is refusal to honor his
obligation to the IBP.

asked them if they were freely


entering the transaction. After the
document was signed by all the
parties, the notary public collected
the notarial fee but did not issue any
BIR-registered receipt.

(C) No, because failure to pay


affects a members capability to
practise, but not his membership in
the Bar.

The notarization
__________. (1%)

(D) Yes, because payment of


membership dues and other lawful
assessments are conditions sine
qua non to the privilege of
practising law and to the retention
of his name in the Roll of Attorneys.

of

the

deed

is

Answer:
(A) neither unlawful nor improper
because he explained the basis for
the computation of the notarial fee

(E) None of the above choices is


correct.

(B) unlawful because


issue a BIR-registered
did not post in his
complete schedule of
notarial fees

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(E) None of the above choices is
correct.

he did not
receipt and
office the
chargeable

(C) proper because he is not


required to issue receipts for
notarial fees

The striking out of names in the Roll


of Attorneys can be ordered only by
the
Supreme
Court.
Also, due
process must be observed.

(D) improper because he did not


ask Ms. Seller and Mr. Buyer if they
needed a receipt

The Constitution vests upon the


Supreme
Court
the
power
to
integrate the Philippine bar (Legal
and Judicial Ethics (2009 Ed.),
Agpalo, p. 132; Constitution, Art. X,
Sec. 5).

(E) proper because any irregularity


in the payment of the notarial fees
does not affect the validity of the
notarization made.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(E) proper because any irregularity
in the payment of the notarial fees
does not affect the validity of the
notarization made. (Ocampo v. Land
Bank of the Philippines, G.R. No.
164968, July 3, 2009)

Question No. 4 (MCQ). Irregularity in


the payment of the notarial fees

Question
No.
9
(2013).
Ethical/administrative violation
Ms. Seller and Mr. Buyer presented
to a commissioned notary public a
deed of sale for notarization. The
notary public explained to them the
transaction the deed embodies and

Atty.
Hermano
requested
his
fraternity brother, Judge Patron, to
introduce him to Judge Apestado,
before whom he has a case that had
been pending for sometime.
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activities (Ibid., Canon 4, Sec. 1). Their
having dinner with Atty. Hermano, a
practicing lawyer, could be construed as
appearance of impropriety.

Judge Patron, a close friend of Judge


Apestado, acceded to the request,
telling the latter that Atty. Hermano
is his fraternity "brod" and that Atty.
Hermano simply wanted to ask for
advice on how to expedite the
resolution of his case. They met, as
arranged,
in
the
fine
dining
restaurant of a five-star hotel. Atty.
Hermano hosted the dinner.

Judge Patron for having allowed himself to


used as a bridge by Atty. Hermano, his
fraternity brod, to meet with Judge
Apestado exhibited judicial misconduct in
the following manner: Judges shall refrain
from influencing in any manner the
outcome of litigation or dispute pending
before another court (Ibid., Canon 1, Sec.
3).
Furthermore,
in
allowing
Atty.
Hermano to take advantage of his
fraternity bond, Judge Patron allowed the
use of the prestige of judicial office to
advance the private interests of others,
conveyed or permitted his fraternity
brod to convey the impression that he
is in a special position to influence the
judge (Ibid., Canon 1, Sec 2, 2nd
sentence).

Did Atty. Hermano, Judge Patron and


Judge
Apestado
commit
any
ethical/administrative violation for
which they can be held liable? (8%)
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
Yes, the three (3) of them committed
ethical/administrative violations for which
they can be held liable.

The specific violations of Judge Apestado


were committed when he allowed himself
to be convinced by Judge Patron to have
the dinner meeting with Atty. Hermano to
discuss how the case may be expedited.
In performing judicial duties, judges shall
be independent from judicial colleagues
in respect of decisions which the judge is
obliged to make independently (Ibid.,
Canon 1, Sec. 3). Finally, in having a
dinner meeting with Atty. Hermano who
has a pending case with his sala, Judge
Apestado has exhibited an appearance of
impropriety in his activities (Ibid., Canon
4, Sec. 1).

For hosting the dinner, Atty. Hermano


acted
in
contravention
of
ethical
standards. A lawyer should refrain from
any impropriety which tends to influence
or give the appearance of influencing the
court (Code of Professional Responsibility,
Canon 13). A lawyer shall not extend
extraordinary attention or hospitality to,
nor seek opportunity for cultivating
familiarity with judges (Ibid. Canon 13,
Rule 13.01). Marked attention and
unusual hospitality on the part of a lawyer
to a judge, uncalled for by the personal
relations on the parties, subject both the
judge and the lawyer to misconstruction
of motive and should be avoided (Canons
of Professional Ethics, Canon 3, 2 nd par.,
1st sentence). Even if the purpose of the
meeting was merely to ask advice on
how to expedite the resolution of his
case, Atty. Hermano still acted outside of
the bounds of ethical conduct. This is so
because a lawyer deserves rebuke and
denunciation for any device or attempt to
gain from a judge special personal
consideration or favor. (Ibid., Canon 3, 2nd
par., 2nd sentence).

Question No. 5 (2013).RA 9225


Atty.
Repatriar,
a
law
school
classmate, approached you on your
25th Class Reunion, with questions
on how he can resume the practice
of law in the Philippines. He left the
country in 1977 after two (2) years
of initial law practice, and migrated
to the United States where he was
admitted to the practice of law in the
State of New York. He asks that you
give him a formal legal opinion on
his query.

Both Judge Patron and Judge Apestado


may be held liable for having the dinner
meeting with Atty. Hermano. Judges shall
ensure that not only is their conduct
above reproach, but that it is perceived to
be so in the view of a reasonable
observer (New Code of Conduct for the
Philippine Judiciary, Canon 2, Sec. 1).
Judges shall avoid impropriety and the
appearance of impropriety in all of their

Outline briefly the steps and the


supporting legal reasons you would
state in your legal opinion on what
Atty. Repatriar should do to resume
his Philippine practice. (8%)
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SUGGESTED ANSWER:

which the Supreme Court may


reacquire.

Atty. Repatriar must prepare a sword


petition to acquire the privilege to
practice law in the Philippines. He should
manifest in his petition his desire to
resume his law practice in the Philippines,
and he is not disqualified to practice law.
The right to resume the practice of law
is not automatic. R.A. No. 9225 provides
that a person who intends to practice his
profession in the Philippines must apply
with the proper authority for a license or
permit to engage in such practice. It can
not be overstressed that: The practice of
law is a privilege burdened with
conditions. It is so delicately affected with
public interest that it is both the power
and duty of the State (through this Court)
to control and regulate it in order to
protect and promote the public welfare.

On the other hand, if Atty. Repatriar has


lost his Philippine citizenship, he must
submit the following:
a) Petition
for
Re-acquisition
of
Philippine Citizenship;
b) Order
(for
Re-acquisition
of
Philippine citizenship);
c) Oath of Allegiance to the Republic
of the Philippines;
d) Identification Certificate (IC) issued
by the Bureau of Immigration.
The loss of Filipino citizenship means
termination
of
Atty.
Repatriars
membership in the bar; ipso jure the
privilege to engage in the practice of law.
Under R.A. No. 9225, natural-born
citizens who have lost their Philippine
citizenship
by
reason
of
their
naturalization as citizen of a foreign
country are deemed to have re-acquired
their Philippine citizenship upon taking
the oath of allegiance to the Republic.
Thus, a Filipino lawyer who becomes a
citizen of another country and later reacquires his Philippine citizenship under
R.A. No. 9225, remains to be a member of
the Philippine Bar (B.M. No. 2112, In re:
Petition to re-acquire the privilege to
practice law in the Philippines, supra).

Adherence to the rigid standards of


mental fitness, maintenance of the
highest degree of morality, faithful
observance of the legal profession,
compliance
with
the
mandatory
continuing legal education requirement
and payment of membership in good
standing in the bar and for enjoying the
privilege to practice law. Any breach by a
lawyer of any of these conditions makes
him unworthy of the trust and confidence
which the courts and clients repose in him
for the continued exercise of his
professional privilege (In re: Petition to
re-acquire the privilege to practice law in
the Philippines, Elfanio B. Muneses, B.M.
No. 2112, July 24, 2012).

2) Certification from the IBP indicating


updated
payments of annual
membership dues;
3) Proof of payment of professional
tax; and
4) Certificate of compliance issued by
the MCLE Office. (Ibid.)
5) A certificate of good moral
character attested to by at least
three (3) members of the bar; and
6) A certification from the State Bar of
New York that Atty. Repatriar does
not have any previous or pending
disciplinary action files against him
before that body.

He should file the petition with the


Supreme
Court,
through
the
Bar
Confidant to accompanied by the original
or certified copies of the following
documents:
1. Showing that he is still a Filipino
Citizen. The court reiterates
that Filipino citizenship is a
requirement for admission to
the bar and is, in fact, a
continuing requirement for the
practice of law (In re: Petition
to re-acquire the privilege to
practice law in the Philippines,
B.M. No. 21122, supra). Having
retained Philippine Citizenship
could be evidenced by the
Philippine passport, the U.S.
Green card showing Philippine
citizenship and U.S. residency or
other
authentic
documents

Question No. 1 ( 2006) Law Profession,


Officer of the Court
1. Why is law a profession and not a
trade? 2.5%
Answer:
Law is profession and not a trade because
of the following characteristics of the law
profession not normally found in trade:
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a. The law profession is characterized by
a duty of service, of which the emolument
is a by-product and in which one may
attain the highest eminence without
making such money;

lawyers.

2. Enumerate the instances when a law


student may appear in court as counsel
for a litigant. 2.5%

b. It involves a relation as an officer of


court to the administration of justice
involving thorough sincerity, integrity and
reliability;

Answer:
The instances when a law student may
appear in court as counsel are as follows:

c. It involves a relation to clients in the


highest degree of fiduciary;
d. It involves a relation to colleagues at
the bar characterized by candor, fairness
and unwillingness to resort to current
business methods of advertising and
encroachment on their practice or dealing
with their clients.

a. If he is a party to the litigation;

2. Why is an attorney considered an


officer of the court? 2.5%

c. In a criminal case before the Municipal


Trial Court in a locality where a duly
licensed member of the Bar is not
available, the judge may appoint him if he
is:

b. In cases before the Municipal Trial


Court, he may be appointed by his friend
who has a case therein;

Answer:
An attorney is considered an officer of
the court because he directly
participates in the administration of
justice. Through him, the judicial
machinery is set on motion by his filing
of cases in court on which the judge is
called upon to act. If there are no
lawyers, courts cannot operate or
dispense justice. His intimate and
indispensable relationship to the court
makes him a part of the court.

1. Resident of the province;


2. Of good repute for probity and ability
to aid the accused in his defense;
d. If he is a senior law student who is
enrolled in a recognized law schools
clinical education program approved by
the Supreme Court. He shall be under the
direct supervision and control of an IBP
member duly accredited by the law
school;

Question No. 2 (2006) 2. Practicing


Lawyer, Trial Lawyer, Law Student

e. He may appear before the National


Labor Relations Commission or any Labor
Arbiter, if he represents his organization
or members thereof;

1. Is there a distinction between


practicing lawyer and trial lawyer?
2.5

Answer:

f. He can represent a claimant before the


Cadastral Court.

Yes. Trial lawyer personally handles cases


in court which means engaging in actual
work either for the prosecution or defense
of cases of clients. On the other hand,
practicing lawyer refers to one engaged
in the practice of law. The term
practicing lawyer is broader and
includes a trial lawyer. In other words, all
trial lawyers are practicing lawyers, but
not all practicing lawyers are trial

Question no. 3 (2006) Suspended


Lawyer
1. The Supreme Court suspended
indefinitely Atty. Fernandez from the
practice of law for gross immorality. He
asked the Municipal Circuit Trial Court
Judge of his town if he can be appointed
counsel de oficio for Tony, a childhood
69

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friend who is accused of theft. The judge
refused because Atty. Fernandezs name
appears in the Supreme Courts List of
Suspended Lawyers. Atty. Fernandez then
inquired if he can appear as a friend for
Tony to defend him.

Answser:
He should not also be exempt for the
same reason stated above, that is, he has
not yet retired. If a lawyer is still actively
engaged in the practice of law, he is
required to comply with the MCLE. Being
a senior citizen is not one of the
exemptions.

If you were the judge, will you authorize


him to appear in your court as a friend for
Tony? 5%
Answer:

Question No. 5 (2006) Exorbitant


Appearance Fees
Myrna, petitioner in a case for custody of
children against her husband, sought
advice from Atty. Mendoza whom she met
at a party. She informed Atty. Mendoza
that her lawyer, Atty. Khan, has been
charging her exorbitant appearance fees
when all he does is move for
postponements which have unduly
delayed the proceedings; and that
recently, she learned that Atty. Khan
approached her husband asking for a
huge amount in exchange for the
withdrawal of her Motion for Issuance of
Hold Departure Order so that he and his
children can leave for abroad.

I will authorize Atty. Fernandez to appear


in my court as a friend of Tony. The Rules
of Court provide that in cases before the
Municipal Trial Court, a person who has a
case therein may appoint a friend
(whether a lawyer or not) to conduct the
litigation. The suspension of Atty.
Fernandez, therefore, is not a hindrance
to represent his friend because even nonlawyers may appear before the MTC.

2. Supposing Tony is a defendant in a civil


case for collection of sum of money
before the same court, can Atty.
Fernandez appear for him to conduct his
litigation? 5%

1. Is it ethical for Atty. Mendoza to advise


Myrna to terminate the services of Atty.
Khan and hire him instead for a
reasonable attorneys fees? 5%

Answer:
Yes. The abovementioned rule makes no
distinction between a criminal case and a
civil case.

2. What should Atty. Mendoza do about


the information relayed to him by Myrna
that Atty. Khan approached her husband
with an indecent proposal? 5%

Question No. 4 (2006). Senior Citizen


Lawyer
Atty. Oldie, 80 years old, refuses to pay
his IBP dues. He argues he is a senior
citizen and semi-retired from the practice
of law. Therefore, he should be exempt
from paying IBP dues.

Suggested Answer:
V.
1.

1. Is his argument correct? 3%

It is not ethical for Atty. Mendoza to


advise Myrna to terminate the
services of Atty. Khan and hire him
instead for a reasonable attorneys
fees.
This is tantamount to improper
solicitation of legal business as he
is encroaching upon the
professional employment of
another lawyer. The Code of
Professional Responsibility is
explicit that a lawyer shall not,
directly or indirectly, encroach
upon the professional employment

answer:
His argument is not correct. Although he
is already 80 years old, he has not yet
retired. And because he has not yet
retired, he is still required to pay his
membership dues.
For the same reasons, Atty. Oldie also
insists that he should be exempt from the
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education
(MCLE) requirements.
2. Should he be exempt? 3%
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of another lawyer.

for them. A prosecutor cannot refuse the


performance of his functions on grounds
not provided for by law without violating
his oath of office. He cannot allow his
personal beliefs to interfere with his
duties.

2.
I would advice Myrna to report Atty.
Khan to the Supreme Court or to
the IBP. Such act of Mr. Khan is
deceitful and deserves a
disciplinary sanction from the
Supreme Court.

Question No. 8 (2006). Prosecutor Failed


to Reappear in Family Court
Prosecutor Coronel entered his
appearance on behalf of the State before
a Family Court in a case for declaration of
nullity of marriage, but he failed to
appear in all the subsequent proceedings.

Question No. 6 (2006). Ignorant of the


Applicable Laws
In his petition for certiorari filed with the
Supreme Court, Atty. Dizon alleged that
Atty. Padilla, a legal researcher in the
Court of Appeals, drafted the assailed
Decision; that he is ignorant of the
applicable laws; and that he should be
disbarred.

When required by the Department of


Justice to explain, he argued that the
parties in the case were ably represented
by their respective counsels and that his
time would be better employed in more
substantial prosecutorial functions, such
as investigations, inquests and
appearances in court hearings.

Can Atty. Dizon, in castigating Atty.


Padilla, be held liable for unethical
conduct against the Court of Appeals? 5%
Suggested Answer:

Is Atty. Coronels explanation tenable? 5%


Suggested Answer:

VI.

VIII.

Yes. The Code of Professional


Responsibility provides that a lawyer
shall not, in his professional dealings,
use language which is abusive, offensive
or otherwise improper. Atty. Dizons
allegations are personal in nature and
have no place in a petition for certiorari.

No. The State has an interest in cases for


declaration of nullity of marriages. The
prosecutor representing the State in
these cases has a duty to protect this
interest. This duty is as important as his
other duties. Besides, if Prosecutor
Coronel cannot attend the proceedings,
he should have informed this to his
superiors so that appropriate action will
be made.

Question No. 7 (2006). Does Not Believe


in the Position of the Client
Provincial Prosecutor Bonifacio refused to
represent the Municipality of San Vicente
in a case for collection of taxes. He
explained that he cannot handle the case
with sincerity and industry because he
does not believe in the position taken by
the municipality.

Question No. 9 (2006). Acquiescence


Atty. Marie consulted Atty. Hernandez
whether she can successfully prosecute
her case for declaration of nullity of
marriage she intends to file against her
husband. Atty. Hernandez advised her in
writing that the case will not prosper for
the reasons stated therein. Atty. Marie,
however, decided to file the case and
engaged the services of another lawyer,
Atty. Pe. Her husband, Noel, having
learned about the opinion of Atty.
Hernandez, hired him as his lawyer.

Can Prosecutor Bonifacio be sanctioned


administratively? 5%

Suggested Answer:
VII.

Is Atty. Hernandezs acquiescence to be


Noels counsel ethical? 3%

Yes. A government lawyer, who under the


law, is required to represent the
government should not refuse to appear
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XI.
Suggested Answer:

1.

IX.

The agreement, which is in the nature of


a champertous contract, is not valid. A
champertous contract is one where the
lawyer stipulates with his client that in
the prosecution of the case, he will bear
all the expenses for the recovery of things
or property being claimed by the client
and the latter agrees to pay the former a
portion of the thing/property recovered as
compensation. This kind of contract is
prohibited being contrary to public policy.

No. A lawyer shall not represent


conflicting interests. The consultation
made by Atty. Marie to Atty. Hernaez
created an attorney-client relationship
between them. This precludes Atty.
Hernaez from accepting the opposite
partys retainer regardless of what was
received by him from his first client.
Question No. 10 (2006). Attorney-Client
Privilege

2.
The amount of the contingent fee cannot
be increased to 80% because such
amount is not reasonable. A lawyer shall
charge only fair and reasonable fees.

In the course of a drinking spree with


Atty. Holgado who has always been his
counsel in business deals, Simon
bragged about his recent sexual
adventures with socialites known for
their expensive tastes. When Atty.
Holgado asked Simon how he manages
to finance his escapades, the latter
answered that he has been using the
bank deposits of rich clients of Banco
Filipino where he works as manager.
Is Simons revelation to Atty. Holgado
covered by the attorney-client privilege?
5%
Suggested Answer:

Question No. 1 (2014)


Judge A is a close friend of Governor G.
On several occasions Judge A would
borrow the vehicles from the Office of the
Governor to travel to his judicial station.
Judges A actuation: (1%)
(A) Violates the canon on propriety
(B) Creates an appearance of an improper
connection with the executive branch
(C) Is downright unethical
ANSWER :

X.

(A) Violates the canon on Propriety

Simons revelation to Atty. Holgado is not


covered by the attorney-client privilege
because it was not made in the course of
professional employment.

Question No. 12 (2014) Attorneys


Fees
A inherited a parcel of land situated in
Batasan Hills which is occupied by
informal settlers. He wants to eject the
occupants, but he has no financial means
to pursue the ejectment case. He
contracted the services of Atty. B, who
agreed to defray all the expenses of the
suit on the condition that he will be paid
one-half (1/2) of the property to be
recovered as his compensation. What is
this kind of attorneys fees? Can Atty. B
enforce this contract against A?

Question No. 11 (2006) Contingent Fee


The contract of attorneys fees entered
into by Atty. Quintos and his client, Susan,
stipulates that if a judgment is rendered
in her favor, he gets 60% of the property
recovered as contingent fee. In turn, he
will assume payment of all expenses of
the litigation.
1. Is the agreement valid? 2.5%
2. May Atty. Quintos and Susan increase
the amount of the contingent fee to 80%?
2.5%
Suggested Answer:
72

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What are the respective remedies relative
to the collection of attorneys fees, if any,
of A and Atty. B against each other?

judgment in the case


payment of his fees.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

the

Question No. 25 (2014)


Judge A has an illicit relationship with B,
his Branch Clerk of Court.C, the wife of
Judge A, discovered the illicit affair and
consulted a lawyer tovindicate her
violated marital rights. If you were that
lawyer, what wouldyou advice C, and if
she agrees and asks you to proceed to
take action, whatis the legal procedure
that you should follow? Discuss fully.
(4%)

This is a champertous fee


agreement because Atty. B agreed to
defray all the expenses of the action
and will be paid only if he is
successful in recovering As property.
Atty. B cannot enforce it because it is
contrary to public policy and the
ethics of the legal profession. The
remedy of A is to file an action to
have the agreement null and void, or
simply to refuse to pay attorneys
fees to Atty. B on the basis of the
said agreement. On the other hand,
Atty. B will still be entitled to collect
attorneys fees on a quantum meruit
basis. He may bring an action to
collect such fees.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
I will advise her to file an
administrative case against Judge A
with the Supreme Court. I can tell
her that she can also file civil or
criminal actions against him. But an
administrative case is confidential in
nature and will not unnecessarily
drag the name and reputation of the
court into the picture.

Question No. 13 (2014) Attorneys


Fees
M engaged the services of Atty. D to
prosecute his annulment of marriage case
in the Regional Trial Court (RTC). After a
long-drawn trial, Atty. D was able to
secure a favorable judgment from the
court. Unfortunately, M failed to pay in
full the stipulated attorneys fees of Atty.
D. How can Atty. D collect his fees from
M? Discuss fully.

Question No. 26 (2014)


(6%)
(A) If an attorney has been granted by his
client full authority to
enter into an amicable settlement with
the other party, may the client later on
refuse to honor the amicable settlement
forged by his attorney? Explain.
(B) In such instance as in (A) above, can
the lawyer withdraw from
the case and collect in full his contracted
attorneys fees? Why or why not?

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
HE can collect his fees either by
filing a motion in the annulment of
marriage case that he handled, and
to order M to pay the same, or he
can file a separate action for the
recovery of his attorneys fees. Of
the two, the first is preferable
because the judge in the annulment
case will be in a better position to
evaluate the amount and value of his
services. In the meantime, he may
avail of the retaining lien, which is to
retain the moneys and properties of
M in his possession until he is paid
for his services, or a charging lien,
which is to charge any money

for

SUGGESTED ANSWER:
(A)
A
compromise
agreement
effected by a client or by his
attorney with special authority from
him has upon the parties the effect
of res judicata. The client cannot
refuse
to
honor
the
amicable
settlement forged by lawyer unless if
the lawyer has gone beyond the
limits of the authority granted him
by his client.
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The lawyer can withdraw from the
case on the ground that the client is
pursuing an act or immoral illegal
course of action by not honoring a
compromise
agreement
validly
entered into. He may recover his
contracted attorneys fees in full
because, after all, he has performed
all the services required of him. It is
his clients fault for refusing to honor
the amicable settlement forged.

Law is profession and not a trade


because of the following characteristics
of the law profession not normally found
in trade:
a. The law profession is characterized by
a duty of service, of which the
emolument is a by-product and in which
one may attain the highest eminence
without making such money;

Question No. 28 (2014)


Atty. Forma is a member of the Philippine
Bar. He went to New York City, took the
New York State Bar, and passed the same.
He then practiced in New York City. One of
his American clients filed a case for
disbarment against him for pocketing the
money which was entrusted to him as
payment for the filing fee and other
incidental expenses of his damage suit.
Atty. Forma was later disbarred for
dishonesty. Disheartened, Atty. Forma
came back to the Philippines and
practiced as a lawyer. Will his disbarment
in New York be used against him for
purposes of disbarment proceedings here
in the Philippines? (4%)

b. It involves a relation as an officer of


court to the administration of justice
involving thorough sincerity, integrity
and reliability;
c. It involves a relation to clients in the
highest degree of fiduciary;
d. It involves a relation to colleagues at
the bar characterized by candor, fairness
and unwillingness to resort to current
business methods of advertising and
encroachment on their practice or
dealing with their clients.

SUGGESTED ANSWER:

2.

Atty. Forma may be disbarred


in the Philippines if the ground for
his disbarment in New York is also a
ground
for disbarment
in this
country. But he is still entitled to due
process of law, and the foreign
courts judgment against him only
constitutes prima facie evidence of
unethical conduct as a lawyer. He is
entitled to be given an opportunity
to defend himself in an investigation
to be conducted in accordance with
Rule 139 of the Revised Rules of
Court (In Re: Suspension from the
Practice of Law in the Territory of
Guam of Atty.LeonMaquera, B.M.
793, July 30, 2004, 435 SCRA 417,
Velez vs. De Vera, A.C. No. 6697, July
25, 2006)
Question No. 1 (2006) Law Profession,
Officer of the Court
1. Why is law a profession and not a
trade? 2.5%

An attorney is considered an officer of


the court because he directly
participates in the administration of
justice. Through him, the judicial
machinery is set on motion by his filing
of cases in court on which the judge is
called upon to act. If there are no
lawyers, courts cannot operate or
dispense justice. His intimate and
indispensable relationship to the court
makes him a part of the court.

Question No. 2 (2006 )Practicing


Lawyer, Trial Lawyer, Law Student
1. Is there a distinction between
practicing lawyer and trial lawyer?
2.5%

2. Why is an attorney considered an


officer of the court? 2.5%

2. Enumerate the instances when a law


student may appear in court as counsel
for a litigant. 2.5%

Suggested Answer:
1.
74

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Suggested Answer:

asked the Municipal Circuit Trial Court


Judge of his town if he can be appointed
counsel de oficio for Tony, a childhood
friend who is accused of theft. The judge
refused because Atty. Fernandezs name
appears in the Supreme Courts List of
Suspended Lawyers. Atty. Fernandez
then inquired if he can appear as a friend
for Tony to defend him.

II.
1.
Yes. Trial lawyer personally handles cases
in court which means engaging in actual
work either for the prosecution or
defense of cases of clients. On the other
hand, practicing lawyer refers to one
engaged in the practice of law. The term
practicing lawyer is broader and
includes a trial lawyer. In other words, all
trial lawyers are practicing lawyers, but
not all practicing lawyers are trial
lawyers.

If you were the judge, will you authorize


him to appear in your court as a friend
for Tony? 5%
2. Supposing Tony is a defendant in a
civil case for collection of sum of money
before the same court, can Atty.
Fernandez appear for him to conduct his
litigation? 5%

2.
The instances when a law student may
appear in court as counsel are as follows:

Suggested Answer
III.

a. If he is a party to the litigation;

1.

b. In cases before the Municipal Trial


Court, he may be appointed by his friend
who has a case therein;

I will authorize Atty. Fernandez to appear


in my court as a friend of Tony. The Rules
of Court provide that in cases before the
Municipal Trial Court, a person who has a
case therein may appoint a friend
(whether a lawyer or not) to conduct the
litigation. The suspension of Atty.
Fernandez, therefore, is not a hindrance
to represent his friend because even
non-lawyers may appear before the MTC.

c. In a criminal case before the Municipal


Trial Court in a locality where a duly
licensed member of the Bar is not
available, the judge may appoint him if
he is:
1. Resident of the province;
2. Of good repute for probity and ability
to aid the accused in his defense;

2.
Yes. The abovementioned rule makes no
distinction between a criminal case and a
civil case

d. If he is a senior law student who is


enrolled in a recognized law schools
clinical education program approved by
the Supreme Court. He shall be under
the direct supervision and control of an
IBP member duly accredited by the law
school;

Question No. 4 (2006) Senior Citizen


Lawyer

e. He may appear before the National


Labor Relations Commission or any Labor
Arbiter, if he represents his organization
or members thereof;

Atty. Oldie, 80 years old, refuses to pay


his IBP dues. He argues he is a senior
citizen and semi-retired from the practice
of law. Therefore, he should be exempt
from paying IBP dues.

f. He can represent a claimant before the


Cadastral Court

1. Is his argument correct? 3%


For the same reasons, Atty. Oldie also
insists that he should be exempt from
the Mandatory Continuing Legal
Education (MCLE) requirements.

Question No. 3 (2006) Suspended


Lawyer
1. The Supreme Court suspended
indefinitely Atty. Fernandez from the
practice of law for gross immorality. He

2. Should he be exempt? 3%
75

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Suggested Answer:

V.

1.

1.
It is not ethical for Atty. Mendoza to
advise Myrna to terminate the services
of Atty. Khan and hire him instead for a
reasonable attorneys fees.
This is tantamount to improper
solicitation of legal business as he is
encroaching upon the professional
employment of another lawyer. The Code
of Professional Responsibility is explicit
that a lawyer shall not, directly or
indirectly, encroach upon the
professional employment of another
lawyer.

His argument is not correct. Although he


is already 80 years old, he has not yet
retired. And because he has not yet
retired, he is still required to pay his
membership dues.
2.
He should not also be exempt for the
same reason stated above, that is, he
has not yet retired. If a lawyer is still
actively engaged in the practice of law,
he is required to comply with the MCLE.
Being a senior citizen is not one of the
exemptions.

2.
I would advice Myrna to report Atty. Khan
to the Supreme Court or to the IBP. Such
act of Mr. Khan is deceitful and deserves
a disciplinary sanction from the Supreme
Court.

Question No. 5 (2006) Exorbitant

Question No. 6 (2006) Ignorant of the


Applicable Laws

Appearance Fees
Myrna, petitioner in a case for custody of
children against her husband, sought
advice from Atty. Mendoza whom she
met at a party. She informed Atty.
Mendoza that her lawyer, Atty. Khan, has
been charging her exorbitant
appearance fees when all he does is
move for postponements which have
unduly delayed the proceedings; and
that recently, she learned that Atty. Khan
approached her husband asking for a
huge amount in exchange for the
withdrawal of her Motion for Issuance of
Hold Departure Order so that he and his
children can leave for abroad.

In his petition for certiorari filed with the


Supreme Court, Atty. Dizon alleged that
Atty. Padilla, a legal researcher in the
Court of Appeals, drafted the assailed
Decision; that he is ignorant of the
applicable laws; and that he should be
disbarred.
Can Atty. Dizon, in castigating Atty.
Padilla, be held liable for unethical
conduct against the Court of Appeals?
5%
Suggested Answer:
=
VI.

1. Is it ethical for Atty. Mendoza to advise


Myrna to terminate the services of Atty.
Khan and hire him instead for a
reasonable attorneys fees? 5%

Yes. The Code of Professional


Responsibility provides that a lawyer
shall not, in his professional dealings,
use language which is abusive, offensive
or otherwise improper. Atty. Dizons
allegations are personal in nature and
have no place in a petition for certiorari.

2. What should Atty. Mendoza do about


the information relayed to him by Myrna
that Atty. Khan approached her husband
with an indecent proposal? 5%

Question No. 7 (2006) Does Not


Believe in the Position of the Client

Suggested Answer:

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Provincial Prosecutor Bonifacio refused to
represent the Municipality of San Vicente
in a case for collection of taxes. He
explained that he cannot handle the case
with sincerity and industry because he
does not believe in the position taken by
the municipality.

Coronel cannot attend the proceedings,


he should have informed this to his
superiors so that appropriate action will
be made.
Question No. 9 (2006) Acquiescence
Atty. Marie consulted Atty. Hernandez
whether she can successfully prosecute
her case for declaration of nullity of
marriage she intends to file against her
husband. Atty. Hernandez advised her in
writing that the case will not prosper for
the reasons stated therein. Atty. Marie,
however, decided to file the case and
engaged the services of another lawyer,
Atty. Pe. Her husband, Noel, having
learned about the opinion of Atty.
Hernandez, hired him as his lawyer.

Can Prosecutor Bonifacio be sanctioned


administratively? 5%

Suggested Answer:
VII.
Yes. A government lawyer, who under
the law, is required to represent the
government should not refuse to appear
for them. A prosecutor cannot refuse the
performance of his functions on grounds
not provided for by law without violating
his oath of office. He cannot allow his
personal beliefs to interfere with his
duties.

Is Atty. Hernandezs acquiescence to be


Noels counsel ethical? 3%
Suggested Answer:
IX.
No. A lawyer shall not represent
conflicting interests. The consultation
made by Atty. Marie to Atty. Hernaez
created an attorney-client relationship
between them. This precludes Atty.
Hernaez from accepting the opposite
partys retainer regardless of what was
received by him from his first client.

Question No. 8 (2006) Prosecutor Failed


to Reappear in Family Court
Prosecutor Coronel entered his
appearance on behalf of the State before
a Family Court in a case for declaration of
nullity of marriage, but he failed to
appear in all the subsequent proceedings.

Question No. 10 (2006) Attorney-Client


Privilege
In the course of a drinking spree with Atty.
Holgado who has always been his counsel
in business deals, Simon bragged about
his recent sexual adventures with
socialites known for their expensive
tastes. When Atty. Holgado asked Simon
how he manages to finance his
escapades, the latter answered that he
has been using the bank deposits of rich
clients of Banco Filipino where he works
as manager.

When required by the Department of


Justice to explain, he argued that the
parties in the case were ably represented
by their respective counsels and that his
time would be better employed in more
substantial prosecutorial functions, such
as investigations, inquests and
appearances in court hearings.
Is Atty. Coronels explanation tenable? 5%

Is Simons revelation to Atty. Holgado


covered by the attorney-client privilege?
5%

Suggested Answer:
VIII.

Suggested Answer:

No. The State has an interest in cases for


declaration of nullity of marriages. The
prosecutor representing the State in
these cases has a duty to protect this
interest. This duty is as important as his
other duties. Besides, if Prosecutor

X.
Simons revelation to Atty. Holgado is not
covered by the attorney-client privilege
77

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


because it was not made in the course of
professional employment.

1.Assumpsit refers to an undertaking,


either express or implied, to perform a
parol agreement.
2.Four instances when a client may
validly refuse to pay his lawyer the full
amount of attorneys fees stipulated in
their written contract are as follows:

Question No. 11 (2006) Contingent Fee


The contract of attorneys fees entered
into by Atty. Quintos and his client, Susan,
stipulates that if a judgment is rendered
in her favor, he gets 60% of the property
recovered as contingent fee. In turn, he
will assume payment of all expenses of
the litigation.

a. When the stipulated fees are found


unconscionable or unreasonable by the
court;
b. When the contract for attorneys fees is
void due to purely formal matters or
defects of execution;

1. Is the agreement valid? 2.5%


2. May Atty. Quintos and Susan increase
the amount of the contingent fee to 80%?
2.5%

c. When the counsel, for justifiable cause,


was not able to finish the case to its
conclusion;
d. When lawyer and client disregard the
contract for attorneys fees.

Suggested Answer:
XI.
1.

Question No. 13 (2006) Primary Duties


What are the primary duties imposed by
the Lawyers Oath upon every member of
the Bar? 5%

The agreement, which is in the nature of


a champertous contract, is not valid. A
champertous contract is one where the
lawyer stipulates with his client that in
the prosecution of the case, he will bear
all the expenses for the recovery of
things or property being claimed by the
client and the latter agrees to pay the
former a portion of the thing/property
recovered as compensation. This kind of
contract is prohibited being contrary to
public policy.

Suggested Answer:
XIII.
The primary duties imposed by the
Lawyers Oath upon every member of the
Bar are the following:
a. Maintain allegiance to the Republic of
the Philippines;

2.

b. Support its constitution and obey the


laws as well as the legal orders of the
duly constituted authorities therein;

The amount of the contingent fee cannot


be increased to 80% because such
amount is not reasonable. A lawyer shall
charge only fair and reasonable fees.

c. Do no falsehood, nor consent to the


doing of any in court;

Question No. 12 (2006) Assumpsit, Client


Refuse to Pay His Lawyer in Full
1. What is assumpsit and when is it
proper? 2%

d. Not willingly nor wittingly promote or


sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit,
or give aid nor consent to the same;

2. Give 4 instances when a client may


validly refuse to pay his lawyer the full
amount of attorneys fees stipulated in
their written contract. 4%

e. Delay no man for money or malice;


f. Conduct himself as a lawyer according
to the best of his knowledge and
discretion, with all good fidelity as well to
the court as to his clients.

Suggested Answer:
XII.
78

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16

Question No. 14 (2006). Automatic


Disbarment
Atty. Perez was admitted as a member of
the New York Bar.
While in Manhattan, he was convicted of
estafa and was disbarred.
Does his disbarment in New York a ground
for his automatic disbarment in the
Philippines? 2.5%

Suggested Answer:
XIV.
No. Automatically disbarring Atty. Perez
here in the Philippines will violate his right
to due process.
Question No. 15 (2006) Grounds for
Disbarment
Which of the following acts does not
constitute a ground for disbarment?
Explain. 2.5%
1. Gross misconduct
2. Fraudulent misrepresentation
3. Grossly immoral conduct
4. Violation of the Lawyers Oath
5. Willful disobedience to a lawful order of
the Supreme Court
6. Malpractice
7. Appearance of a non-lawyer as an
attorney for a litigant in a case

79

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


married with two children. Maria
again had plans to apply for
work abroad but this time,
wished to have all her papers in
order. Atty. Evangeline, claiming
that
she
was
already
overloaded with other cases,
referred Maria's case to another
lawyer. Maria found it appalling
that after Atty. Evangeline had
learned of her secrets, the latter
refused to handle her case.
Maria's friendship with Atty.
Evangeline permanently turned
sour after Maria filed an
administrative case against the
latter for failing to return
borrowed
jewelry.
Atty.
Evangeline, on the other hand,
threatened to charge Maria with
a criminal case for falsification
of public documents, based on
the disclosures Maria had earlier
made to Atty. Evangeline.

2015 BAR QUESTIONS


I.

Define the following terms:


a. counsel de oficio
b. counsel de parte
c. amicus curiae
d. attorney of record ( 4%)

II.

In open court, accused Marla


manifested that she had already
settled in full the civil aspect of
the criminal case filed against
her in the total amount of
P58,000.00.
Marla
further
alleged that she paid directly to
private complainant Jasmine the
amount of P25,000.00. The
balance of P33,000.00 was
delivered to Atty. Jeremiah,
Jasmine's lawyer, evidenced by
a receipt signed by Atty.
Jeremiah
himself.
However,
Jasmine manifested that she did
not receive the amount of
P33,000.00 which Marla turned
over to Atty. Jeremiah. Despite
Jasmine's requests to tum over
the money, Atty. Jeremiah failed
to do so. It was only after
Jasmine
already
filed
an
administrative
complaint
against Atty. Jeremiah that the
latter
finally
paid
the
P33,000.00 to the former, but in
three installment payments of Pl
1,000.00 each. Atty. Jeremiah
claimed that he decided to hold
on to the P33,000.00 at first
because Jasmine had not yet
paid his attorney's fees. Is Atty.
Jeremiah
administratively
liable? Explain. (3%)

III.

a. Was the consultation of


Maria with Atty. Evangeline
considered privileged? ( 1 % )
b. What are the factors to
establish the existence of
attorney-client privilege? (3 % )

Maria and Atty. Evangeline met


each other and became good
friends at zumba class. One
day, Maria approached Atty.
Evangeline for legal advice. It
turned out that Maria, a nurse,
previously worked in the Middle
East. So she could more easily
leave for work abroad, she
declared in all her documents
that she was still single.
However, Maria was already
80

IV.

The Lawyer's Oath is a source of


obligation and its violation is a
ground
for
suspension,
disbarment, or other disciplinary
action. State in substance the
Lawyer's Oath. (3%)

V.

Judge Ana P. Sevillano had an


issue with the billings for the
post-paid
cellular
phone
services of her 16-year-old
daughter for the last three
consecutive months. Although
Judge
Sevillano
had
been
repeatedly calling the Customer
Service Hotline of Universal
Telecoms, the billings issue was
never fully settled to Judge
Sevillano's satisfaction. Finally,
Judge
Sevillano
wrote
the
National
Telecommunications
Commission
a
letter
of
complaint
against
Universal

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Telecoms, using her official
court stationery and signing the
letter
as
"Judge
Ana
P.
Sevillano." Did Judge Sevillano
violate any professional or
ethical standard for judges?
Justify your answer. (3%)
VI.

c. Will you grant Casper's


Petition to belatedly sign the
Roll of Attorneys? Why? (2%)

Casper Solis graduated with a


Bachelor of Laws degree from
Achieve University in 2000 and
took and passed the bar
examinations given that same
year. Casper passed the bar
examinations and took the
Attorney's Oath together with
other successful bar examinees
on March 19, 2001 at the
Philippine
International
Convention Center (PICC). He
was scheduled to sign the Roll
of Attorneys on May 24, 2001
but he misplaced the Notice to
Sign the Roll of Attorneys sent
by the Office of the Bar
Confidant after he went home to
the province for a vacation.
Since taking his oath in 2001,
Casper had been employed by
several law firms and private
corporations,
mainly
doing
corporate and taxation work.
When attending a seminar as
part
of
his
Mandatory
Continuing Legal Education in
2003, Casper was unable to
provide his roll number. Seven
years later in 2010, Casper filed
a Petition praying that he be
allowed to sign the Roll of
Attorneys. Casper alleged good
faith, initially believing that he
had already signed the Roll
before entering PICC for his
oath-taking on March 19, 2001.

VII.

Cite some of the characteristics


of the legal profession which
distinguish it from business. ( 4
%)

VIII.

Engr.
Gilbert
referred
his
friends, spouses Richard and
Cindy Maylupa, to Atty. Jane for
the institution of an action for
partition of the estate of
Richard's deceased father. In a
letter, Atty. Jane promised to
give Engr. Gilbert a commission
equivalent to 15% of the
attorney's fees she would
receive
from
the
spouses
Maylupa. Atty. Jane, however,
failed to pay Engr. Gilbert the
promised commission despite
already terminating the action
for partition and receiving
attorney's fees amounting to
about
P600,000.00.
Engr.
Gilbert repeatedly demanded
payment of his commission but
Atty. Jane ignored him. May Atty.
Jane professionally or ethically
promise a commission to Engr.
Gilbert? Explain. (3%)

IX.

a. Explain the doctrine of


quantum meruit in determining
the amount of attorney's fees.
(2%)
b. Identify the factors to be
considered
in
determining
attorney's fees on a quantum
meruit basis. (2%)

X.

a. Can Casper already be


considered a member of the Bar
and be allowed to use the title
of "attorney"? Explain. ( 1 % )
b. Did Casper commit any
professional
or
ethical
transgression for which he could
be held administratively liable?
(2%)
81

The spouses Manuel were the


registered owners of a parcel of
land measuring about 200,000
square meters. On May 4, 2008,
the spouses Manuel sold the
land for ll3,500,000.00 to the
spouses Rivera who were issued
a certificate of title for said land
in their names. Because the
spouses Rivera failed to pay the

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


balance of the purchase price
for the land, the spouses
Manuel, through Atty. Enriquez,
instituted an action on March
18, 2010 before the Regional
Trial Court (RTC) for sum of
money and/or annulment of
sale, docketed as Civil Case No.
1111. The complaint in Civil
Case No. 1111 specifically
alleged that Atty. Enriquez
would be paid ll200,000.00 as
attorney's
fees
on
a
contingency basis. The RTC
subsequently promulgated its
decision upholding the sale of
the land to the spouses Rivera.
Atty. Enriquez timely filed an
appeal on behalf of the spouses
Manuel before the Court of
Appeals. The appellate court
found for the spouses Manuel,
declared the sale of the land to
the spouses Rivera null and
void,
and
ordered
the
cancellation of the spouses
Rivera's certificate of title for
the land. The Supreme Court
dismissed the spouses Rivera's
appeal for lack of merit. With
the finality of judgment in Civil
Case No. 1111 on October 20,
2014, Atty. Enriquez filed a
motion for the issuance of a writ
of execution.
Meanwhile,
the
spouses
Rivera filed on November 10,
2014 before the RTC a case for
quieting of title against the
spouses Manuel, docketed as
Civil Case No. 2222. The
spouses Manuel, again through
Atty. Enriquez, filed a motion to
dismiss Civil Case No. 2222 on
the ground of res judicata given
the final judgment in Civil Case
No. 1111.
Pending the resolution of the
motion to dismiss in Civil Case
No. 2222, the RTC granted on
February 9, 2015 the motion for
issuance of a writ of execution
in Civil Case No. 1111 and
placed the spouses Manuel in

possession of the land. Atty.


Enriquez, based on a purported
oral
agreement
with
the
spouses Manuel, laid claim to Y2
of
the
land,
measuring
100,000.00 square meters with
market value of Pl,750,000.00,
as his attorney's fees. Atty.
Enriquez caused the subdivision
of the land in two equal portions
and entered into the half he
appropriated for himself. Based
on the professional and ethical
standards for lawyers, may Atty.
Enriquez claim Yi of the land as
his contingency fee? Why? (4%)
XI.

82

Atty.
Belinda
appeared
as
counsel for accused Popoy in a
case being heard before Judge
Tadhana. After Popoy was
arraigned, Atty. Belinda moved
for a resetting of the pre-trial
conference. This visibly irked
Judge Tadhana and so before
Atty. Belinda could finish her
statement, Judge Tadhana cut
her off by saying that if she was
not prepared to handle the
case, then he could easily
assign a counsel de oficio for
Popoy. Judge Tadhana also
uttered that Atty. Belinda was
wasting the precious time of the
court. Atty. Belinda tried to
explain that she was capable of
handling the case but before
she could finish her explanation,
Judge Tadhana again cut her off
and accused her of always
making
excuses
for
her
incompetence. Judge Tadhana
even declared that he did not
care if Atty. Belinda filed a
thousand administrative cases
against him. According to Atty.
Belinda, Judge Tadhana had also
humiliated her like that in the
past for the flimsiest of reasons.
Even Atty. Belinda's clients were
not
spared
from
Judge
Tadhana's wrath as he often
scolded witnesses who failed to
respond
immediately
to

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


questions asked of them on the
witness stand. Atty. Belinda filed
an administrative case against
Judge Tadhana. Do the acts of
Judge Tadhana as described
above constitute a violation of
the Code of Judicial Conduct?
Explain. (3%)
XII.

a. What is the best form of


advertising
possible
for
a
lawyer? (2%)
b. What are the allowable or
permissible forms of advertising
by a lawyer? (3%)

XIII.

In a land registration case


before
Judge
Lucio,
the
petitioner is represented by the
second cousin of Judge Lucio's
wife.
a.
Differentiate
between
compulsory
and
voluntary
disqualification and determine if
Judge Lucio should disqualify
himself
under
either
circumstance. (3%)
b. If none of the parties
move for his disqualification,
may Judge Lucio proceed with
the case? (2%)

XIV.

XIV. Identify and briefly explain


three of the canons under the
New Code of Judicial Conduct
for the Philippine Judiciary. (6%)

XV.

Jon served as Chief Executive


Officer (CEO) of PBB Cars, Inc.
(PBB),
a
family-owned
corporation engaged in the
buying and selling of secondhand cars. Atty. Teresa renders
legal services to PBB on a
retainer basis. In 2010, Jon
engaged Atty. Teresa's services
for a personal case. Atty. Teresa
represented Jon in a BP Big. 22
case filed against him by the
spouses Yuki. Jon paid a
separate legal fee for Atty.
Teresa's
services.
Jon
subsequently resigned as CEO
of PBB in 2011. In 2012, Atty.
Teresa filed on behalf of PBB a

complaint for replevin and


damages against Jon to recover
the car PBB had assigned to him
as a service vehicle. Atty.
Teresa, however, had not yet
withdrawn as Jon's counsel of
record in the BP Big. 22 case,
which was still then pending.
Jon filed an administrative case
for disbarment against Atty.
Teresa
for
representing
conflicting
interests
and
violating
the
Code
of
Professional Responsibility. Atty.
Teresa countered that since the
BP Blg. 22 case and the replevin
case are unrelated and involved
different issues, parties, and
subject matters, there was no
conflict of interest and she
acted within the bounds of legal
ethics.
Is
Atty.
Teresa's
contention tenable? Explain.
(3%)
XVI.

83

Atty. Luna Tek maintains an


account in the social media
network called Twitter and has
1,000 followers there, including
fellow lawyers and some clients.
Her Twitter account is public so
even her non-followers could
see and read her posts, which
are
called
tweets.
She
oftentimes takes to Twitter to
vent about her daily sources of
stress like traffic or to comment
about current events. She also
tweets her disagreement and
disgust with the decisions of the
Supreme Court by insulting and
blatantly cursing the individual
Justices and the Court as an
institution.
a. Does Atty. Luna Tek act in
a manner consistent with the
Code
of
Professional
Responsibility?
Explain
the
reasons for your answer. (3%)
b. Describe the relationship
between a lawyer and the
courts. (3%)

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


XVII.

Give three instances when a


lawyer is allowed to withdraw
his/her services. (3%)

XVIII.

Atty. Javier sold a piece of land


in
favor
of
Gregorio
for
P2,000,000.00.
Atty.
Javier
drafted the Deed of Sale with
Right to Repurchase which he
and Gregorio signed on August
12, 2002. Under said Deed, Atty.
Javier represented that he had
"the perfect right to dispose as
owner in fee simple" the land
and that the land is "free from
all liens and encumbrances."
The Deed also stated that Atty.
Javier had two years within
which
to
repurchase
the
property. Atty. Javier turned over
the
owner's
copy
of
his
certificate of title, TCT No.
12121, to Gregorio. Gregorio
then
immediately
took
possession of the land. Atty.
Javier failed to exercise his right
to repurchase within two years.
Gregorio sent Atty. Javier a
letter dated April 8, 2005
demanding that the latter
already
repurchase
the
property. Despite receipt of
Gregorio's letter, Atty. Javier still
failed
to
repurchase
the
property. Gregorio remained in
peaceful possession of the land
until July 25, 2013, when he
received
notice
from
Trustworthy Bank informing him
that the land was mortgaged to
said bank, that the bank already
foreclosed on the land, and that
Gregorio
should
therefore
vacate
the
land.
Upon
investigation,
Gregorio
discovered that Atty. Javier's
TCT No. 12121 had already
been cancelled when another
bank foreclosed on a previous
mortgage on the land, but after
a series of transactions, Atty.
Javier was able to reacquire the
land and secure TCT No. 34343
for the same. With TCT No.

34343, Atty. Javier constituted


another mortgage on the land in
favor of Trustworthy Bank on
February 22, 2002. Gregorio
was subsequently dispossessed
of the property. Gregorio filed
an administrative complaint
against Atty. Javier. In his
defense, Atty. Javier argued that
he
could
not
be
held
administratively liable as there
was
no
attorney-client
relationship between him and
Gregorio.
Moreover,
the
transaction was not actually one
of sale with right to repurchase,
but one of equitable mortgage,
wherein he still had the legal
right to mortgage the land to
other persons.
a. If you are tasked to
investigate
and
report
on
Gregorio's
administrative
complaint against Atty. Javier,
what
will
be
your
recommendation and finding?
(3%)
b.
In
the
same
administrative case, may Atty.
Javier be ordered to return the
P2,000,000.00 purchase price to
Gregorio? Explain. (3%)

84

XIX.

a. What are the grounds for


disbarment or suspension from
office of an attorney? ( 4%)
b. If Atty. Babala is also
admitted as an attorney in a
foreign jurisdiction, what is the
effect of his disbarment or
suspension by a competent
court or other disciplinary
authority
in
said
foreign
jurisdiction to his membership
in the Philippine Bar? (2%)

XX.

XX. Cecilio is one of the 12


heirs of his father Vicente, who
owned an agricultural land
located in Bohol. Cecilio filed a
complaint charging Judge Love
Koto with abuse of discretion
and authority for preparing and
notarizing a document entitled
"Extra-Judicial
Partition
with

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


Simultaneous Deed of Sale"
executed by Cecilio's mother
Divina and brother Jose. Jose
signed the Deed on his own
behalf and purportedly also on
behalf of his brothers and
sisters, including Cecilio. Cecilio
though alleged that in his
Special Power of Attorney, he
merely
granted
Jose
the
authority to mortgage said
agricultural land but not to
partition, much less to sell the
same. Judge Koto contended
that in a municipality where a
notary public is unavailable, a
municipal judge is allowed to
notarize documents or deeds as
ex officio notary public. He
claimed that he acted in good
faith and only wanted to help.
Did Judge Koto violate any
rules? Discuss. (3%)
XXI.

his private capacity, that he had


no control over who Atty. Vera
invited to the party, and that he
and Atty. Rico never discussed
Civil Case No. 5555 during the
party. Did Judge Junior commit
an administrative infraction?
Explain. (3%)
XXII.

a.

Describe

Mandatory

briefly

Continuing

the
Legal

Education (MCLE) for a member


of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines and the purpose of
the same. (2%)
b. Name three parties exempted
from the MCLE. (3%)
XXIII. XX.III. Atty. Billy, a young
associate in a medium-sized law
firm, was in a rush to meet the
deadline for filing his appellant's
brief. He used the internet for
legal
research
by
typing
keywords on his favorite search
engine, which led him to many
websites containing text of
Philippine jurisprudence. None
of these sites was owned or
maintained by the Supreme
Court. He found a case he
believed
to
be
directly
applicable to his client's cause,
so he copied the text of the
decision from the blog of
another law firm, and pasted
the text to the document he
was working on. The formatting
of the text he had copied was
lost when he pasted it to the
document, and he could not
distinguish
anymore
which
portions
were
the
actual
findings or rulings of the
Supreme Court, and which were
quoted portions from the other
sources that were used in the
body of the decision. Since his
deadline was fast approaching,
he decided to just make it
appear as if every word he
quoted was part of the ruling of
the Court, thinking that it would

Judge Junior attended the 50th


birthday party of his fraternity
brother, Atty. Vera. Also present
at the party was Atty. Rico who
was Atty. Vera's classmate way
back in high school and who
was handling Civil Case No.
5555 currently pending before
Judge Junior's court. Well-aware
that Atty. Rico had a case before
his sala, Judge Junior still sat
next to Atty. Rico at a table, and
the two conversed with each
other, and ate and drank
together throughout the night.
Since Atty. Vera was a wellknown personality, his birthday
party was
featured
in
a
magazine. The opposing party
to Atty. Rico's client in Civil Case
No. 5555, while flipping through
the pages of the magazine,
came upon the pictures of Judge
Junior and Atty. Rico together at
the party and used said pictures
as bases for instituting an
administrative
case
against
Judge Junior. Judge Junior, in his
answer,
reasoned
that
he
attended Atty. Vera's party in
85

Compiled by BSU-Law, 3rd Year students SY 2015-16


not be discovered. Atty. Billy's
opponent, Atty. Ally, a very
conscientious former editor of
her school's law journal, noticed
many discrepancies in Atty.
Billy's supposed quotations from
the Supreme Court decision
when she read the text of the
case from her copy of the
Philippine Reports. Atty. Billy
failed
to
reproduce
the
punctuation marks and font
sizes used by the Court. Worse,
he quoted the arguments of one
party as presented in the case,
which arguments happened to
be favorable to his position, and
not the ruling or reasoning of
the Court, but this distinction
was not apparent in his brief.
Appalled, she filed a complaint
against him.
a. Did Atty. Billy fail in his
duty as a lawyer? What rules
did he violate, if any? (2%)
b. How should lawyers quote
a Supreme Court decision? (2%)

by one Malcolm X, a concerned


citizen, complaining against
Judge Hambog, Presiding Judge
of the RTC of Mahangin City,
Branch 7. Malcolm X reported
that Judge Hambog is acting
arrogantly
in
court;
using
abusive
and
inappropriate
language; and embarrassing
and insulting parties, witnesses,
and even lawyers appearing
before him. Attached to the
letter
were
pages
from
transcripts of records in several
cases
heard
before
Judge
Hambog, with Judge Hambog's
arrogant,
abusive,
inappropriate,
embarrassing
and/or insulting remarks or
comments highlighted.
a. Will the Court take
cognizance
of
the
lettercomplaint even coming from an
anonymous source? Explain.
(2%)
b. Describe briefly the
procedure followed when giving
due course to a complaint
against an RTC judge. (3%)

XXIV. An anonymous letter addressed


to the Supreme Court was sent

86

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